JOHOR BARU: There are valid concerns on the increasing number of school-going children's addicted to the magic mushroom vape-juices which are easily accessible.
Bandar Baru Permas Jaya Rukun Tetangga chairman Habib Syed Sallilah Aasad said some irresponsible sellers are targeting teenagers with the vape-juice laced with chemicals and it is now at an alarming rate.
Magic mushrooms, which is also commonly known as shrooms contain psilocybin chemicals, which causes hallucinations.
Habib said a 16-year-old boy from an underprivileged family in the housing estate had related his magic mushroom addiction experiences to him.
The teen started using these types of vapes due to peer pressure. He claimed to have spent between RM5 and RM10 for each shrooms vaping session.
Habib said he had intervened when he saw an alleged shroom seller approaching the teenager, but the seller fled the scene when he started to question him.
"According to the teenager, the fees were RM1 per puff or what is commonly known as hits.
"It usually takes between five and 10 hits before the smokers felt the effects, based on their tolerance level," he said.
The magic mushroom vaping sessions are held in public places including eateries and playgrounds.
They are bold and fearless, because to onlookers, they appear to be merely vaping.
"I once chased a man that I believed was addicted to magic mushroom. He was aggressive, nearly pushed me over," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Education Coalition Organisation (Me'didik) chairman Mohd Ridhwan Othman said Johor was the first state to ban electronic cigarettes and vapes, following the sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's decree on Jan 1, 2016.
However, he said these products are now freely sold.
"Unfortunately, students are buying them freely, as there are no specific law prohibiting vape usage.
"Stricter enforcement and relevant laws are needed to curb vape use.
"We are lagging in addressing the issue of drug-laced vapes, which pose significant threats.
"The state government should also raise awareness about the proliferation of vape use among teenagers and the cases recorded in hospitals to foster public awareness," he said.