Launch of UiTM Anti-drugs SKUAD Campaign: Empowering Youth for a Drug-Free Future
SHAH ALAM, November 12, 2024 – In a decisive move to champion substance abuse prevention within higher education, 400 students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) gathered at the Mawar Qaseh Hall in Shah Alam to mark the official launch of the UiTM Anti-drugs SKUAD Campaign. The high-energy event highlighted the vital role that university students play in fostering healthy, resilient campus environments and supporting national drug eradication initiatives.
The initiative represents an ongoing strategic collaboration between UiTM and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA). By equipping youth with the knowledge, peer networks, and leadership skills needed to take a firm stand against illicit substances, the campaign establishes a proactive frontline defense against drug abuse across university grounds and surrounding communities.
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Mobilizing Student Leadership Through the UiTM Anti-drugs SKUAD Campaign
The launch ceremony was officiated by the Director-General of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), Dato’ Ruslin Jusoh. In his address, Dato’ Ruslin emphasized that combating substance abuse requires an all-of-society approach, where young people are not merely passive recipients of awareness messages, but active ambassadors of positive change.
The UiTM Anti-drugs SKUAD Campaign serves as a vital platform to mobilize student leadership. Substance abuse dynamics have evolved over recent years, with synthetic narcotics and unregulated chemical compounds posing new challenges to youth well-being. By positioning university students as informed advocates, the campaign ensures that preventive education resonates effectively across peer groups through relatable voices and contemporary communication channels.
Through structured training, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement, the campaign empowers participants to recognize early warning signs of substance dependency, offer compassionate peer guidance, and facilitate access to professional intervention when needed.
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Understanding the Role of the Anti-drugs SKUAD
At the heart of this movement is the Anti-drugs SKUAD (Skuad Antidadah), a nationwide voluntary entity spearheaded by youth leaders under NADA’s guidance. The primary mandate of the SKUAD is to design, organize, and execute grassroots programs that promote wholesome, drug-free lifestyles among young Malaysians.
Rather than relying solely on traditional lecture-based awareness formats, the Anti-drugs SKUAD focuses on experiential learning, sports, creative arts, and community service. These activities create constructive outlets for personal growth, social connection, and stress relief, effectively mitigating the social and psychological factors that often drive individuals toward substance experimentation.
By embedding the SKUAD framework directly into UiTM’s vibrant student ecosystem, the university reinforces its institutional commitment to holistic student development, ensuring that academic excellence is supported by physical, emotional, and social wellness.
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Insights from the Super Hero Komuniti Pocket Talk
Prior to the official launch ceremony, attendees participated in an engaging Pocket Talk session titled “Super Hero Komuniti” (Community Superheroes). The session brought together experienced prevention practitioners and grassroots community leaders to share practical insights on substance abuse prevention and community advocacy.
The panel featured three distinguished speakers:
Mahadzir Elias, Chief Assistant-Director of Prevention Education at NADA, who outlined national prevention strategies and the psychological dimensions of peer influence.
Aziz Ku Li, Chairperson of the Pahang Anti-drugs SKUAD, who shared real-world experiences on organizing youth-driven community interventions.
* Suhaila Abdul Aziz, Chairperson of the Kuala Kangsar Anti-drugs SKUAD, who discussed localized outreach methods and the critical role of empathy in rehabilitation support.
The discussion demystified the concept of community heroism, demonstrating that being a superhero in the context of drug prevention does not require extraordinary powers. Instead, it begins with everyday vigilance, active listening, and the courage to speak out and support peers facing emotional or social distress.
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Strengthening Institutional Partnerships for Lasting Impact
The event also welcomed key senior leadership, including NADA Deputy Director-General (Operations), Tuan Khairul Anwar Bachok, and UiTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs), Prof. Dr. Mohd Sazili Shahibi. Their joint presence underscored the strong institutional alignment between Malaysia’s premier anti-drug agency and the nation’s largest public university system.
Prof. Dr. Mohd Sazili affirmed UiTM’s dedication to maintaining a safe, productive, and drug-free campus ecosystem across all its nationwide branch campuses. He noted that student-led advocacy, exemplified by the SKUAD, creates a sustainable culture of mutual accountability and care among undergraduates.
As substance-related threats continue to evolve, the UiTM Anti-drugs SKUAD Campaign stands as a benchmark for university-level prevention efforts. By empowering students to take ownership of their communities, the campaign not only protects the campus population today but also cultivates responsible, proactive civic leaders for tomorrow.
