Youths hooked to synthetic marijuana, cocaine easily available through vape liquid, says Pengasih

SHAH ALAM - A social service provider has warned of youths seeking rehabilitation services after getting hooked on drugs through vape.

Deputy president of Pengasih Malaysia Hafizi Harun said youths have sort treatment after taking new psychoactive substances (NPS) which includes synthetics marijuana in vape liquid.

"Parents have been sending their young ones here to get treatment since 2018," he said, adding that most of them are between ages 18 to 24 years.

He said the liquid is easily available in social media as it is not a ban substance, and act as alternative to drugs.

“They book through Instagram and Facebook. Ingredients are sold openly, including those listed under the Drugs Act Dangerous," he was quoted in Sinar Harian.

"Those who inhale these 'vape', get high instantly as it contains synthetic marijuana and synthetic cocaine, it's hard to identify whether if it is detectable through urine test.

"They know if they use cannabis, heroin or syabu, it will show in their urine test and subjected to legal action. Due to that, it is extremely worrying as it is easily available, " he said.

National Anti -Drug Agency (AADK) said the effects could cause hallucinations, becoming delusional and behaving oddly.

“It could cause brain damage, increase body temperature and damage kidney, liver and heart. Addicts also lose appetite, face problems sleeping, suffer muscle aches, depression, unable to focus and sometimes it lead to death due to overdose, ”he said.