SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed concern over the worsening menace of drug addiction among the community.
Via a post on the Selangor Royal Office's Facebook page, the Sultan pointed to National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) statistics showing a 31.6% increase in the number of drug addicts compared to last year.
"It is regrettable that, on average, those who fall into the trap of drug addiction are predominantly Malay Muslims, making up 76.8%. Additionally, many among this group are artistes, who have the potential to influence young Malay Muslims," according to the post on Sunday (Nov 17).
Therefore, Sultan Sharafuddin advised the community to stay away from drugs, which can destroy one's self-worth and mental faculties, which is deemed wrong by religion for interfering with obligatory acts of worship.
The Selangor Sultan said consumption of synthetic drugs can also lead to the occurrence of violent crimes, including suicide, which the mass media have increasingly reported.
"Due to drugs that you might curiously try at the beginning, it will eventually lead to debilitating damage, the mind becomes confused, weak and lethargic, and even a loving home that has been painstakingly built over a long time can be destroyed in the blink of an eye.
"Family institutions are collapsing, sexual crimes are becoming rampant, even worse when drivers under the influence can endanger public safety, causing deaths of others as well," read the post.
Sultan Sharafuddin, however, also called on the community not to cast aside those in the grip of drug addiction and should instead play a role in educating and helping them to rebuild their identity, regain self-confidence and give them a second chance to correct past mistakes. - Bernama
