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. 2025 May;53(4):e70016.
doi: 10.1002/jcop.70016.

Implementing Family on Alert Program to Address Drug Abuse in Malaysia: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Siti Salina Abdullah  1 , Abdul Rahman Abdul Latip  1   2 , Nor Hayati Sa'at  1 , Nur Azura Sanusi  1   3 , Khatijah Omar  1   4 , Nur Ameera Rushdi  1 , Suzaily Wahab  5
Affiliations

Implementing Family on Alert Program to Address Drug Abuse in Malaysia: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Siti Salina Abdullah et al. J Community Psychol. 2025 May.

Abstract

Drug misuse causes serious health problems, including the increased risk of addiction, particularly among adolescents. Hence, a family-based drug prevention program is designed to reduce problems among youth and encourage positive development at the family level. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the Family on Alert (FoA) program implemented by the National Anti-Drug Agency in Malaysia. A qualitative method was used employing Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 18 informants from NADA's state officers of Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, and Sabah. Thematic analysis was used to systematically organize the data by coding and coordinating the data into themes. Findings demonstrated that the FoA program implemented by the National Anti-Drugs Agency in Malaysia has positively impacted the participants. Additionally, strategic partnerships with other government and non-government agencies have improved FoA achievement across hot-spot states in Malaysia. This study could give valuable input for the government to develop and implement policies supporting family-based approaches to drug prevention in the future.

Keywords: drug prevention; effectiveness; family on alert; program.

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