Police are concerned with the growing involvement of children in drug offences, said Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew.

He said high number of children under 18 years have also been found with drugs between January to March 2024.

“Police are aggressively pursuing proactive measures of raising awareness in schools, through the media and communities noting the worrying trend,” he said.

In March, police recorded 160 cases of drug related offences which was a significant increase of 67 per cent compared with the same period last year where only 96 cases were reported.

Out of the total 160 drug cases, 151 cases, were related to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

Police said approximately 18 per cent or 28 cases were associated with methamphetamine, two cases related to cocaine while the remaining 130 cases were related to the unlawful possession or cultivation of marijuana.

“Through police-community partnerships, more can be done to address moral crimes against women and children, and drug related offences.”