DRUG SCOURGE SPREADS TO THE BETTER-OFF

10,000 Are Trapped In The Spiral, Expert Reveals

KUALA LUMPUR - Drug abuse is no longer confined mostly to the lower reaches
of society; it has snared at least 10,000 upper-class Malaysians as well,
according to an expert.

National Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (Pemadam) deputy
president Idris Ibrahim described the situation as 'worrying'.

'Do not think that drug abuse only concerns people from the lower rungs of
society and that the upper society is immune,' he said.

Upper-class addicts included children and relatives of notable families and
high-ranking officials as well as professionals and the rich and famous.

Datuk Idris would not elaborate on their age groups and races, saying that
such information was confidential, Nanyang Siang Pau reported yesterday.

'According to data compiled over the years, there are more than 10,000
people from the upper society who are engaged in drug abuses.

'We have the exact details but they are confidential,' he said.

Many of them were seeking treatment at rehabilitation centres.

Datuk Idris cited busy parents as the main reason for the increase in the
number of upper-class drug abusers.

Other reasons included weak family ties, lack of parental control, an
abundance of free time, excitement seeking and pressure of work.

The war against drugs could only be won by everyone pulling together and
Malaysian society was 'not very enthusiastic', he said.