By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman Alliance for a Safe Community
KOTA KINABALU: We refer to the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday highlighting the serious and worsening issue of drug abuse and rampant vape usage among our youths.
The Alliance for a Safe Community fully shares the Prime Minister’s concern and calls for swift, concrete, and coordinated action by all relevant authorities.
The dangers of drugs and vaping—particularly those that contain narcotics—cannot be overstated.
Both have become gateways to addiction, mental health deterioration, school dropouts, criminal behaviour, and in some cases, irreversible health damage or even death.
When our youths—who are the future of this nation—fall prey to these threats, the very fabric of our society is at risk.
The time for awareness campaigns alone is over.
What we need now are firm, visible, and results-oriented actions, including:
Stricter enforcement against the sale and distribution of vape products, especially those targeted at children and teenagers. This must include regular raids and surveillance on online platforms and retail outlets.
Mandatory certification and regulation of all vaping devices and liquids, including clear labelling and health warnings. All illegal and non-compliant products must be banned and seized.
Tougher laws and penalties for those who produce, import, and sell vape liquids containing banned substances or market them to minors.
Early intervention and rehabilitation programmes for students and young adults caught with drugs or illegal vape products—rehabilitation must go hand-in-hand with enforcement.
Whole-of-society approach, including schools, parents, religious institutions, civil society, and the media, to create a culture that actively rejects drugs and vaping.
Failure to act now will have grave long-term consequences.
We will continue to see rising numbers of youth succumbing to addiction.
Our healthcare system will bear the burden of treating vape-related illnesses.
Our education system will struggle with students affected by substance abuse.
And ultimately, our nation’s productivity and social harmony will be undermined.
This is no longer a fringe issue—it is a national crisis.
The Prime Minister’s strong words must be matched by equally strong action across all levels of government and society. Let us not fail our youths.
