15/02/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday FEB 15, 2026

Not supernatural: Youths may be on drugs

Teenagers most at risk of

mushroom vape abuse

PUCHONG: The abuse of mushroom vape has become a widespread gateway drug, according to TikToker Syed Barkath Amin Syed Mohd Tarmidzi. He said the increasingly cheap prices and easy access to illicit substances have placed teenagers among the most at-risk groups of becoming involved. Syed Barkath Amin added that peer influence remains a key factor, especially when youths want to appear bold or be accepted within their social circles. Syed Barkath also issued a specific warning about the use of “mushroom vape” or vape liquids containing hallucinogenic substances. “It looks like an ordinary vape, but the effects are different. If you’re not used to it, it can be very dangerous,” he said. According to the TikToker who creates awareness content on the dangers of drugs, users may experience intense visual hallucinations and impaired judgement. “There have been cases where users went out of control because of hallucinations.” He stressed that the long-term effects of drug abuse not only would damage physical health but also mental health. Some teenagers would eventually suffer from mental disorders and struggle to function normally in social settings. He advised teenagers to learn from other people’s cases and to look at the long-term consequences, not just the short-term thrill. He also urged parents to monitor their children wisely and seek early intervention if they notice behavioural changes. “Don’t wait until it becomes severe. The earlier we intervene, the easier it is to save their future,” he said. On Aug 3 last year, theSun had reported that even hardened drug addicts are steering clear of Magic Mushroom vape and warning others that using the substance could trigger panic attacks, blackouts and a total loss of control. (https://thesun.my/news/mal aysia-news/news-malaysia news-warning-to-stay-away from-magic-mushroom-vape liquid-dd14607343/). – By IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE police do not rule out jealousy as a possible motive,” he said. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment for a term of not less than 30 years but not exceeding 40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane. – Bernama

Lack of awareness on early symptoms leads many parents to seek alternative treatment for ‘unusual behaviour’ of children, says rehab centre founder

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

sleeping and drug overdose. Some of them even experience hallucinations,” he told theSun recently. Syed Barkath Amin is a well-known TikToker who produces content related to the behaviour or mannerisms of illicit substance users. He said there have been cases where parents would bring their children to alternative medical practitioners to treat unusual behaviour, unaware that they were actually under the influence of drugs. “I’ve met parents who took their children everywhere for treatment. “It was only after their children were arrested and a urine test revealed they were positive for methamphetamine that the parents realised they are drug addicts,” he said. He added that a lack of awareness has caused many parents to miss the early warning “I once lost a close friend to a heart attack after prolonged drug use. He was only 36. People thought he was fine, but his heart had been pumping (under extreme pressure) non-stop. At some point, his body just couldn’t take it anymore,” he said. The loss of his former housemate was a turning point for him to quit completely after nearly experiencing an overdose and severe paranoia around 2014. “I didn’t sleep for five days, heard whispers, my heart was racing. That was when I realised if I continued, I might not survive.” Now more than a decade drug-free, he chose to rebuild his life by establishing Kolar Merah around the end of 2023 as a platform to help those facing similar struggles. “I thought instead of doing something negative, it’s better to use my experience to help others.”

PUCHONG: Former prison inmate Syed Barkath Amin Syed Mohd Tarmidzi said he produces awareness content on the dangers of drugs because many addicts are skilled at hiding their addiction. Syed Barkath Amin, who is also a TikToker, said most users are able to cover their tracks well, including himself at one time. “We can hide until we become ‘heavy users’ without our families realising it. We stay in our room a bit longer and our family thinks we’re doing work. “When we don’t eat, we’ll tell them that we’re sick. The truth is most of the time these drug addicts are hiding in their room because they haven’t slept for days while abusing drugs,” he said. Syed Barkath Amin, 36, added that some users may appear normal but are in fact under the continuous influence of drugs. “In reality, it is the result of sleep deprivation and substance abuse. If a child suddenly doesn’t sleep for five days, talks to themselves, appears to perform silat -like movements or becomes overly aggressive, don’t immediately assume it’s possession. “It could be the effects of not PUCHONG: Parents are to refrain from concluding that their children’s behavioural changes are due to mystical influences before exploring the possibility of substance abuse. Syed Barkath Amin Syed Mohd Tarmidzi, the founder of Kolar Merah, a rehabilitation and community centre for former drug addicts and ex-convicts, said many parents misinterpret symptoms of drug addiction as hysteria, spirit possession or supernatural disturbances.

Syed Barkath Amin said among symptoms to watch out for are drastic changes in sleep patterns, loss of appetite and extreme paranoia. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

jobs. So we create a controlled environment with leaders who understand their background,” he said, adding that peer influence plays a crucial role. “If ordinary people advise them, they won’t listen. But when someone who has gone through the same experience gives advice, they are more likely to accept it.” “In the early stages, the relapse rate reached 80%. However, after several years of operating, the success rate has improved to around 90% to 95%. “Before, out of 10 people, maybe only two would succeed. Now maybe only one or two would relapse,” he said. Although he does not receive official financial assistance, he works closely with Nada, the prison department and the police to monitor participants’ progress and ensure they stay on the right path. – By IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE think that person has bad intentions. That’s a sign their mental state is no longer stable.” Syed Barkath Amin said early intervention is crucial to prevent addiction from worsening. He noted that parents can seek help from the National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada) voluntarily before their child is arrested. “If you surrender voluntarily and the child agrees, there’s no punishment. They will receive counselling and monitoring.”

Kolar provides accommodation, transport and an internal leadership system for participants, most of whom are referred through the National Anti Drug Agency (Nada) or have prison records. Participants are screened at Kolar Merah to ensure they are not wanted by authorities, do not have severe mental health issues and genuinely have the determination to quit drugs. The rehabilitation programme begins with a three-month phase focused on discipline and personal transformation, followed by motivational sessions and entrepreneurship training — including selling aromatherapy and cosmetic products supplied by Syed Barkath Amin’s own company. “We teach them business from A to Z. Many former inmates struggle to follow rules in regular Merah signs of addiction. Syed Barkath Amin said symptoms include drastic changes in sleep patterns, loss of appetite, extreme paranoia and irrational fear of the police or people around them. “When drug users reach the fourth or fifth day without sleep, they would start hallucinating. When they leave the house, they would feel like someone is trying to arrest them. Even when someone looks at them, they

Heavy users skilled at hiding habit: Ex-addict

Pregnant woman found dead, husband detained JOHOR BAHRU: A foreign woman, who was seven months pregnant, was found dead and covered in blood at a house in Kampung Makam, Kota Tinggi. “Following the report, a team of police officers from the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kota Tinggi District Police Headquarters were deployed to the location.

Contingent Police Headquarters led to the discovry of a stone mortar believed to have been used to strike the woman. The body has been sent to the Forensic Department of Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru for a post-mortem. “The exact cause of death remains under investigation and

confirmed dead by medical officers from the Kota Tinggi Hospital,” he said. Yusof added that police have detained the woman’s husband, a foreign national in his 30s, who was present at the couple’s rented home. Further investigations by forensic officers from the Johor

Police found the woman lying in a pool of blood with head injuries believed to have been caused by a blunt object. The woman was later

Kota Tinggi District police chief Supt Yusof Othman said police received information from the public regarding the incident at 7.42am on Friday.