KOTA BARU: Consumption of ketum juice, which cannot be detected by mere routine urine test, makes it a serious threat among students in Kelantan.
Kelantan National Anti Drugs Agency (AADK) director Rahayu Ahmad said until August this year, a total of 1,026 students had confessed that they had taken ketum juice.
She said the number of cases this year is much more serious compared to the the previous year when 790 students had confessed of taking the illicit drink.
“Based on our questionnaire, most students consumed the drink due to its low cost, RM10 per packet, which can then be shared among four people compared to a metamephetamine pill.
“In fact, the main reason they consume the drink is that they know that it cannot be detected through urine testing.
“They are confident that they are not doing anything wrong and no one can nab them as the urine test would turn out negative,” she said after an anti-drug seminar for school headmasters, here, today.
The seminar involved 77 school headmasters from several districts including Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, and Tumpat.
Rahaya also said that ketum juice cannot be detected unless it is mixed with other drugs.
She cautioned that the prolonged consumption of the illicit drink would lead to damage of the liver and kidneys.
“This is because those who consume it, would need to take a huge quantity until they become high,” she said, adding that parents should keep an eye on their children.
She also added that parents can send their children to the Pengkalan Chepa Cure and Care Clinic, if professional help is needed.