17/03/2026

TUESDAY | MAR 17, 2026

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The dangerous RM1 high hooking kids L ET Makcik say this loudly for the people at the back – and also for the parents still convinced their anak only bubblegum or mango, package it nicely and sell it quietly under school desks, near tuition centres or around mamak stalls.

Suddenly, a hallucinogenic drug is being marketed like a chewing gum promotion. Kids think it’s harmless. Sellers know exactly what they are doing. And parents? Some are still debating whether their child should bring Milo in a flask or buy air sirap from the canteen, completely unaware that something far more dangerous may already be sitting inside the schoolbag. experimental laboratories Let’s be very clear: psilocybin is a hallucinogen. That means it alters perception, mood and thought patterns. Even in adults, it can trigger paranoia, anxiety, confusion and psychological distress. Now imagine introducing that to a teenage brain that is still developing. It is like pouring paint thinner onto fresh wiring and hoping the lights still work. The teenage brain is busy forming decision-making abilities, emotional control and memory pathways. Interfering with that process is not some harmless teenage experiment; it is potentially long-term neurological sabotage. And yet, the sales pitch floating around playground gossip often sounds something like this: “Relax lah , it’s natural”, “Helps you chill”, “Not like real drugs”. Aiyoh . You know what else is natural? Snake venom. Try sipping that and see how relaxing it feels. Why children are the target These sellers are not stupid; they know exactly who they are targeting. Teenagers are curious, easily influenced by peers, desperate to look “cool” and often unaware of long-term consequences. Add social media hype and a sprinkle of boredom and suddenly a vape M A K C I K A B A S Teenage brains are not

vapes “for the strawberry flavour”. Children are buying mushroom laced vapes for RM1. Yes, one ringgit – not RM100, not RM10 – one ringgit. About the price of loose change hiding in your car’s cup holder. And if thats sounds dramatic, consider this: in a special report by theSun early last year, even drug users themselves warned that the effects could be catastrophic. Speaking to theSun in a northern state, several users issued the same blunt warning: “This is not something to play with.” Let that sink in for a moment. When people who are already familiar with drugs start waving red flags, perhaps the rest of us should stop scrolling and pay attention. Even veteran addicts accustomed to methamphetamine and opioid based substances were sounding the alarm. If seasoned users are worried, imagine what this could do to teenagers who think they are simply puffing something that tastes like grape candy. Now add the festive timing. With Hari Raya around the corner – when families gather, aunties gossip, uncles suddenly become experts on everything from football to inflation and cousins roam the house like festive tornadoes – this may be the perfect moment to put the fear of God into the young ones about what these things can actually do. Because frankly, some of them need a reality check stronger than sirap bandung . The RM1 poison in a pretty stick Here’s how the trap works: a colourful disposable vape – looking suspiciously like something from a toy shop – gets filled with substances linked to psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound associated with the so-called “magic mushrooms”. Add flavours like grape, M A R I N A T B Y A Z

Even drug users warn that children puffing strawberry flavoured, mushroom-laced vapes can face catastrophic effects. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

that does not merely mitigate risks but also actively strengthens equitable participation. Safety and inclusion should not be framed as competing priorities; rather, safety is the prerequisite for fair and meaningful engagement in digital society. In an increasingly connected world, sound policy does more than close gaps of vulnerability; it ensures that opportunities remain open to all. For PwD, a secure and inclusive digital environment is not simply a technological or regulatory concern; it is fundamentally an issue of social justice and equal citizenship in the 21st century. DrHasrul Hosshan is director of the Centre for Inclusive Research on Community and Disability at the Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com Sometimes, it is something far more dangerous hiding inside a shiny plastic stick. Final word from the living room sofa Here’s the uncomfortable truth: it may only cost RM1 to buy the vape but the damage it can cause can last a lifetime. Mood disorders, memory problems, poor impulse control and a young brain that never quite develops the way it should have. That is a very expensive price for something sold cheaper than a kuih at the bazaar. So while we are busy preparing kuih raya , polishing the rumah and arguing about who finished the last jar of pineapple tarts, perhaps we should also prepare something else. A conversation, a warning, a firm reminder that some trends are not funny, not harmless and definitely not worth experimenting with. And if Makcik has to raise her voice about it until someone listens – well, so be it. AzuraAbas is the executive editor of theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

smells like a perfume factory, becomes unusually moody, sleeps at strange hours or hides things quickly when you walk in, please do not just say, “ Ala , teenage phase”. Sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. Talk to them – not just about exams and homework – talk about pressure, stress, friendships, social media and the strange things circulating in their circles. You cannot fight what you do not even know exists. Raya: the perfect time for a family reality check With Hari Raya coming soon, families across Malaysia will gather for open houses, balik kampung journeys and endless plates of rendang . Which means something magical happens. Children are suddenly surrounded by aunties, uncles, grandparents, cousins and that one loud relative who tells the truth a bit too enthusiastically. In other words – a ready-made intervention squad. This may be the perfect time to remind the younger generation that not everything trendy is harmless, not everything sold cheaply is safe and not every vape is “just flavour”.

becomes a badge of rebellion. But let’s call this what it really is. Selling hallucinogenic vapes to schoolchildren is not entrepreneurship; it is predatory behaviour. Plain and simple. Schools and authorities cannot look the other way Now comes Makcik ’s gentle lempang – lovingly delivered to every system that should already be paying attention. If schools can enforce dress codes down to the millimetre, surely they can conduct random bag checks, stricter vape monitoring and awareness programmes that actually scare kids straight. Because let’s be honest, the typical anti-drug assembly talk with a sleepy PowerPoint from 1998 is not going to impress a generation raised on TikTok. Bring in doctors, addiction survivors and people who can show the real consequences. Kids do not remember bullet points; they remember stories. Parents, this is your cue too And parents – yes, Makcik is looking at you. If your teenager suddenly

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COMMENT by Dr Hasrul Hosshan

Protecting disabled persons while strengthening digital inclusion THE enforcement of Malaysia’s Online Safety Act 2025 marks a significant shift in the country’s digital governance landscape. As social interaction, education and economic participation Many young PwD rely on digital platforms to build peer networks, share lived experiences and access opportunities that may be limited in physical environments. Protection must, therefore, be understood as the foundation of meaningful participation. Without safety, digital inclusion cannot be sustained. equal access to information and communication technologies without discrimination. Second, the need for disability sensitive regulatory impact assessment. Any new digital

However, from a public policy perspective, implementation of the Act requires careful calibration. Measures such as age restrictions and identity verification systems are designed to protect minors from exploitation and harmful content. Yet, if these systems are not accessibility sensitive, they may inadvertently create new barriers for PwD. Three key policy considerations deserve particular attention. First, the principle of “access by design”. Verification mechanisms, moderation systems and user interfaces should be developed in alignment with universal accessibility standards. This approach is consistent with Malaysia’s commitments under the PwD Act 2008, which guarantees

For neurodivergent individuals or those with mobility challenges, online communication often provides a more flexible and less socially pressurised setting. In numerous cases, digital spaces represent the first environments where they feel accepted and understood. At the same time, this group faces heightened vulnerability to online harassment and discrimination. Cyberbullying can have profound psychological consequences, compounding existing social stigma and exclusion. In this regard, strengthening platform accountability through improved content moderation and clearer reporting mechanisms is necessary and timely.

regulation should undergo social impact evaluation that explicitly considers its implications for vulnerable groups, including youths with disabilities. Protection mechanisms must not unintentionally restrict the very participation they aim to safeguard. Third, the integration of inclusive digital safety literacy. Cyber safety education initiatives should be designed in formats accessible to learners with diverse abilities, incorporating simplified language, visual supports and assistive technologies where appropriate. The Online Safety Act 2025 has the potential to become a model of balanced digital governance – one

increasingly migrate online, the need for structured digital protection has become urgent. The Act seeks to address cyberbullying, online exploitation, scams and harmful content, particularly affecting children and young people. Yet, within this broader conversation on digital safety, closer attention must be given to persons with disabilities (PwD), especially youths with disabilities. For many within this community, digital spaces are not merely tools for communication or entertainment; they also serve as critical environments for identity formation, social connection and a genuine sense of belonging.