Theft, drug abuse most common among juveniles

Friday May 11, 2012

KUCHING: Theft and drug abuse are the top offences committed by juveniles in Sarawak.

This was revealed by Youth Development Assistant Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said last year, 157 theft cases involving juveniles were recorded in Sarawak compared with 147 in 2010.Until April this year, 56 theft cases involving children were reported.

Abdul Karim said 89 students were tested positive for drugs in the first four months of this year.

He, however, did not have the 2010 and 2011 figures as urine tests were never conducted in school before early this year, but said the most common drug used by students was syabu.

“Although both theft and drug abuse cases are considered low, it is still a concern for us because most of them are students.

“We acknowledged the seriousness of the matter if left unchecked and therefore it has to be tackled with no delay,” he said after chairing the first Juvenile Crime Prevention brainstorming session here yesterday.