COMPARISON ON USE OF DRUG AMONG ETHNICS AND RACE

COMPARISON ON USE OF DRUG AMONG ETHNICS AND RACE

According to the latest evidence from human and animal studies (yes, even animals can become addicted to drugs), addiction is a chronic disease, just like diabetes or hypertension. As in other chronic diseases, it too occurs in vulnerable individuals who have been exposed to risks of getting the disease. In diabetes, individuals who are overweight, don’t exercise and have family members with diabetes are more likely to contract it. In addition, those who abuse addictive substances have a high likelihood of becoming addicted to them. What surprises laypeople and medical personnel alike is the lack of insight addicts have into their own behaviour. They are in a constant state of denial of how miserable addiction is making their life. Drug abuse has been the most complex social problem faced by the country. The community involvement with drugs was not bounded by age and involved all groups’ poor, rich, professionals, labourers, public servants or students. 

This information was used as inputs in analysing the trend of drug addicts with respect to race and ethnics in Malaysia. The abuse of illicit drugs remains a serious problem in Malaysia. Over the decade there has been a drastic increase in illegal drugs used. The National Drug Agency (ADK) has, through its efforts, registered more than 300,000 addicts in its drug fight. However, just like the iceberg, the numbers are only what are seen above the surface. Some local studies have suggested there are an estimated three to four addicts who are not registered with the ADK for every one that is. Hence the potential numbers of addicts in Malaysia is quite staggering, a possible one million addicts in our country of 25 million, or 4% of the populace! In comparison, some statistics from the United States estimate that the number of addicts there is one in 3,000, or only 0.03% of their population.

Ethnic	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Malays	65.9	67.7	69.5	68.6	64.6	68.1	69.5	72.6	77.4
Chinese	17.9	16.0	14.9	14.8	13.6	15.6	15.9	13.6	11.6
Indians	10.9	10.1	10.2	10.1	9.1	9.8	10.6	11.4	8.8
Natives of Sabah	3.9	4.4	4.2	4.3	9.0	3.7	2.4	1.6	1.2
Natives of Sarawak	0.4	0.2	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.2	0.1
Other	1.1	1.5	1.0	1.8	3.2	2.3	1.2	0.6	0.8

Based on the breakdown by ethnics, Malays has recorded the highest number of drug addicts, followed by Chinese and Indians with the respective average proportion stood at 69.3, 14.9 and 10.1 per cent over the period of 2000−2008. Even though the number of drug addicts for all ethnic has declined as of 2005, the percentage distribution of Malay drug addicts however kept increasing until 2008, while Chinese and Indians remained increasing until 2006 and 2007 respectively. This was due to the significant decline of drug addicts among the natives of Sabah and Sarawak over that period.  

Disease	Ethnics					Total
	Malay	Chinese	Indian	Sabah/ Sarawak	Others
HIV	409	12	20	2	1	444
	92.12%	2.70%	4.50%	0.45%	0.23%	100.00%
Chronic	127	12	7	3	0	149
	85.23%	8.05%	4.70%	2.01%	0.00%	100.00%
Mental	24	14	1	6	0	45
	53.33%	31.11%	2.22%	13.33%	0.00%	100.00%

A total of 444 inmates who were undergoing treatment and recovery are diagnosed with HIV to 8:01% of the total overall PUSPEN residents. Residents are many Malay diagnosed with HIV is of 409. In addition, a total of 149 persons (2.69%) suffering from chronic illness and 45 people (0.81%) have problems of mental illness. There are many reasons why these communities are polluted with drugs, and intoxicated substance. Not everyone is actually taking notice how damageable their and else’s surrounding are actually is. In 2010, 24.5% of Malays drug users are influenced by their friends and it’s 44.83% all the drug user. While, there’s 19.38% out of all drug abuser have the feeling of curiosity on using drug, 14.85% using drug for fun and 20.94% of other reasons. The most of the reasons is from friends and colleague. The feeling of curiosity of usage of drugs itself among themselves make them try the drugs and feel the pleasure of it.  It’s not the good thing to do because even a piece of drug can demolish a person in a perfect health and fresh mind. Those who are caught taking drugs many of the children abandoned. They do not get attention from parents. The parents ignore the problems they face. This means teenagers do not get enough love. When they have problems, the parents just leave it to teachers or asking them to solve themselves. As the result of this youth feel left out and friends are the place to ask for references and a note. And when a friend referred to drugs, they would say is the drugs would suck all the problems will disappear. We so worried that teens are often the 

fastest way to see this for they to avoid the problems themselves, and it becomes a drug addict. Islam says all the harms are illegal. For taking the harm was meant throwing himself into the fire pit. Taking drugs damage the organs of the body quickly. Islam emphasizes health as a healthy self-worship and strive allow the cause of GOD. So clearly they are taking this drug not believe the determination of the Quran that prescribe illegal to do something that cause harm to themselves. Lack of faith in Allah Almighty caused endurance become brittle. They are unable to reject the appeal of addiction and drug usage. Thus, it is the main reason why drug usage spreads rapidly among teenagers around the world. And these reasons should be the basis for each individual in recovery program of drug addicts. This is because this disease cannot be treated unless it is known.

The atmosphere is no longer live in a society at peace because there are incidents stealing, robbing and others committed by addicts who need money to buy drugs. Found 40% of jail prisoners are drug addicts. Such a situation would disturb the peace, order, discipline rules and laws of the country. Unity, development and advancement of the society can be affected by the involvement of young people with drugs. Conflict and misunderstanding between families with other families can occur in children's involvement with drugs. Overall, the results showed more similarities than differences in perceived social support from the three ethnic groups, hence indicating that similar strategies could be used to rehabilitate the drug addicts. From a study, important agents that can help drug addicts to return to normal life are father, mother, siblings and friends. The important dimensions of social support from the parents are socializing, emotional, practical assistance, financial assistance and advice and guidance. For friends, financial assistance seems to be the most important dimension. However, it is worth noting that low financial assistance from friends was found to lead to drug addiction. 

Perceived Support	Race	Number of People	Total
Mother	Malays	128	199
	Chinese	44
	Indians	25
	Others	2
Father	Malays	101	154
	Chinese	36
	Indians	16
	Others	1
Siblings	Malays	157	246
	Chinese	50
	Indians	37
	Others	2
Uncle/Untie	Malays	133	190
	Chinese	35
	Indians	21
	Others	1
Friends	Malays	160	253
	Chinese	54
	Indians	37
	Others	2
Others	Malays	86	129
	Chinese	27
	Indians	16
	Others	0

As shown in the table above which recorded by AADK method of experiment in 2008, the most reliable supports are mostly from friends which is one of the most reason why teenagers of different ethnics are influenced by the abuse of the drug. We’ve learned that everyone must choose proper friends rather than those whom could demolish our good personalities and ourselves. Those people that are abused by drug need to be cleaned or removed from the community before they torn our society apart. However, the Indian community have the same number of reliability on siblings and friends. The Indians is more depending their brotherhood and friends to change themselves to a better way. On the contrary, most people also rely on their siblings vice versa of their parents help. What happen to the parents these days? Parents as the leaders of the house should be the one who should be the guidance for their children. The parents are losing their capabilities to their children, but instead their friends have more power to manipulate their minds to become one of them. Therefore, the parents must be the one who establish their future as a better generation would be. Parents always be the best way to form the best of their children. As for friends, they should prompt their colleague to become a better person as they are today. Then, for Malay people that are the majorities of Malaysia, need to be the one who forming the country as our people use to be the one who the one who shaped the nation. We need to be the role model of the other ethnics and be praised as the symbol of our country. The other ethnics need to appreciate as the live in a free country and capable to live earn money for living. However, they also need to be in control of themselves so that they are not involving in the drug problem. As everyone is obeying the law, the Malaysian citizen would be praised across the universe as we have the power to control ourselves.

Percentage of Ethnic Addicts Released In September 2010

Ethnics	No. of Abuser	Percentage
Malays	108	90.76%
Chinese	6	5.04%
Indians	5	4.20%
Sabah/Sarawak	0	0.00%
Others	0	0.00%
TOTAL	119	100.00%

Table show the number of percentage of released. 108 people were Malays which was the majority released by the rehab centre while only 5 were Indian people were released. This shows that most Malays have a high determination to change and return to their normal life.  However, when it was 2008, 63% of Malays were relapses for drugs and one of them relapse of 14 times in his life and the Indian ethnics only 14% of them were recurrence. Does the release actually worth it for those who repeat? This is actually not working for those who are avid abuser. The National Anti-Drug Agency should take a better way to prevent this mistake from running twice. This problem shouldn’t be repeated because the disease can be spread among us and destroy our society. We shouldn’t underestimate this problem. It’s not about doing a good job; it’s about our responsibility as the former of this nation.