He said in addition to government countermeasures, public cooperation including from non-governmental organisations critical to preventing the nation's youth from abusing drugs, particularly synthetic substances.

“We urge the public to fight this menace together, providing tipoffs on drug activities or abuse they may come across,” he said in an interview.

According to the National Anti-Drug Agency, over 70% of the almost 170,000 drug addicts accounted for in the country until September of this year were synthetic drug users.

Describing synthetic drugs as highly potent and extremely detrimental to both mental and physical health, Dato' Seri Khaw said the Amphetamines and Methamphetamines marketed under various names such as Syabu, Ice, Ecstasy, Yaba, Eramin and Ketamine will cause the user to experience an intense, stronger and faster 'high' effect, making them appealing to those who developed a tolerance to weaker drugs.

Read further on The Star's article attached.