Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said 7,412 teens were arrested for drug peddling and abuse last year, of which 89 were only 13 years old.

However, these staggering statistics are only the recorded cases, with many more going undetected and hence, unrecorded.

Police said that among the reasons for this worrying trend was peer pressure, exposure to drug abuse and the business of peddling drugs, neglect and lack of parental guidance.

“Most of them also do drugs for fun, lifestyle or when they are depressed,” he told The Star Online.

Police cited the case of one 16-year-old boy in Miri, Sarawak, who roped in his two younger siblings to dabble in drugs last year.

The boy got involved in pushing drugs as his parents had divorced and money was hard to come by.

Another case involved that of an 11-year-old arrested in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, last year, after he tested positive for methamphetamine.

According to Mokhtar, drugs like Ecstasy, Yaba pills, heroin and marijuana were popular among youths, as these were cheaper than high-end drugs like syabu.

Mokhtar said the police were working closely with the Education Ministry to curb the problem and conduct drug awareness campaigns in schools.

He also called on all parties to play their part in combating drug addiction among the young.