Persatuan Anti Dadah Aids Malaysia (PADM) has detected at least 10 children as young as 10 years dabbling in drugs.

Its patron Wan Rosdi Mat Rasik said the association believed they were influenced by certain quarters who exploited them to become drug addicts so that they would do drug distribution to support the habit.

"Around 2010, teens in the 15-17 age group were found to be involved but now even children as young as 10 years have started to engage in drug activities.

"The children are mostly from poor or broken homes or their families are also involved in drugs," he told reporters in Dungun yesterday.

Earlier, the association had conducted a seminar on drugs and HIV/AIDS for university students at Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Dungun.

- Bernama