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1 A rebuttal letter that responds to each point raised by the academic editor and reviewer(s). You should upload this letter as a separate file labeled 'Response to Reviewers'. A rebuttal letter has been prepared to respond to the reviewers.

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NOTES

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Thank you. The manuscript has been edited to meet the journal’s style requirements.

2 Thank you for stating the following financial disclosure: The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, (UKM) for funding this study under the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme-(LGRS/1/2019/UKM-UKM/2/1). We also thank the research team for their commitment and tireless efforts in producing the manuscript.

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We noted this and have already edited it.

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Currently, your Funding Statement reads as follows: The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, (UKM) for funding this study under the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme-(LGRS/1/2019/UKM-UKM/2/1). We also thank the research team for their commitment and tireless efforts in producing the manuscript. Please include your amended statements within your cover letter; we will change the online submission form on your behalf

Thank you for your message regarding this matter. We have noted your guidance and have already removed the acknowledgement of funding form the main manuscript as per your instructions.

Our revised Funding Statement is as follows:

‘The authors acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, (UKM) for funding this study under the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme-(LGRS/1/2019/UKM-UKM/2/1). However, the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript’ .

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Done, thank you.

REVIEW COMMENT TO AUTHOR

REVIEWER 1

Comment 1:

Abtract

This paper examines a convincing issue. Nevertheless, it has a few flaws. Abstracts must provide a concise introduction to the topic, describe how data were gathered, and identify the study site. Kindly explain the research methodology. It must condense the introduction to the issue while expanding the methodology description.

Reply: Thank you for your insightful comments on our manuscripts. We appreciate your acknowledgement of the issue we address in our paper and your constructive comments regarding its presentation. In response to your feedback, we have revised the abstract to ensure it meets the criteria you outlined, we have condensed the introduction to the issue while expanding the description of our research methodology. The adjustment as follow:

For the introduction to the topic, how data were gathered and the study site: The Malaysian Anti-drug Agency (AADK) has identified 155 hotspot areas across Malaysia of which 78 were randomly selected as the study sites. These areas were identified as having extreme drug-related activities such as drug trafficking and drug-related crimes. According to the literature, several factors influence adolescents to be involved in DSA. Therefore, understanding the risk factors in the context of Malaysian school-going adolescents is of utmost importance.

For the methodology, we added: Adolescents in the hotspot areas were selected by means of a cross-sectional survey design with a cluster sampling method. The sample comprised 3382 school-going adolescents, and the data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The logit model method with STATA software was used to analyse the data.

Comment 2:

Introduction:

Author is required to provide an explanation of the specific state or region in Malaysia that is classified as a drug-based hot spot. What initiatives has the relevant agency undertaken to mitigate the prevalence of drug-related hotspots in Malaysia? What type of incident, such as a drug-related criminal case, is occurring in the hotspot region? In the article, author describes older adolescents, male, and Western ethnicity are significant predictors of substance abuse on a global scale. How about the demography of Malaysia? Is it identical? From the present study in Malaysia, what others benefit in studying the factors contributing of drug abuse besides prioritizing of current intervention?

Reply:

Regarding the identification of drug-based hotspots in Malaysia, we have provided a clear explanation of the specific state or region classified as such. In text, we have added:

In Malaysia, a total of 155 drug-related hotspots have been identified by the AADK in 2020. This overall number of hotspots was found to have decreased from the total of 178 hotspots reported in 2018. All 155 of these areas encompass all localities in Peninsular Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. The breakdown of the hotspots is as follows: Perlis (6 hotspots), Kedah (13), Pulau Pinang (7), Perak (14), Selangor (13), Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (8), Kelantan (15), Terengganu (15), Pahang (12), Melaka (10), Negeri Sembilan (6), Johor (17), Sarawak (7), Sabah (9) and Federal Territory of Labuan (3). These hotspots are focal points identified as grappling with drug addiction issues, with 60% of the entire nation’s population under surveillance, while also serving as regions contributing to social issues such as social tourism and drug-related crimes such as robbery and drug trafficking. The designation of a hotspot is based on four primary indicators: total of individuals under surveillance, total of suspected individuals, total of new addicts and community readiness level.

Additionally, we have elaborated on the initiatives undertaken by the relevant agencies to mitigate the prevalence of drug-related hotspots in Malaysia. In text, we have explained it as follows:

One of the strategies to minimize the drug-related activities by 2025 is ‘Hotspots Greening Program’ involving 155 hotspots in Malaysia, implemented collaboratively with government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The program’s strategies are a) preventing new drug addicts, b) maintaining recovery rates, c) increasing drug addict detection, d) enhancing cooperation and involvement of agencies or communities, and e) restricting drug entry.

To answer to the question ‘What type of incident, such as a drug-related criminal case, is occurring in the hotspot region’, we added:

These hotspots are focal points identified as grappling with drug addiction issues, with 60% of the entire nation’s population under surveillance, while also serving as regions contributing to social issues such as social tourism and drug-related crimes such as robbery and drug trafficking.

For comment ‘In the article, author describes older adolescents, male, and Western ethnicity are significant predictors of substance abuse on a global scale. How about the demography of Malaysia? Is it identical?’, we already confirmed the similarity with additional text as follows:

Globally, males, older adolescents, and Western ethnicity tend to report higher instances of drug use compared to other demographic groups. Similarly in Malaysia, older age groups (Ismail et al., 2022) and male adolescents have been found as more at risk (Hong & Peltzer, 2019; Institute for Public Health, 2017; Institute of Public Health, 2012) than the counterparts. In terms of race, over all Bumiputeras has been reported as the high-risk ethnic group in substance and drug use followed by Indians and Chinese compared to Malays although when it comes to individual substances different these ethnicities differ (Institute for Public Health, 2017; Rodzlan Hasani et al., 2021).

For the comment ‘From the present study in Malaysia, what others benefit in studying the factors contributing of drug abuse besides prioritizing of current intervention?’, we added the explanation as follows:

It is crucial to focus studies on hotspots to better understand their unique characteristics and the course of action needed to obtain effective preventive treatment. The efficacy of crime prevention of crime prevention strategies is augmented when directed towards identified hotspots and areas exhibiting heightened criminal activity (Weisburd et al., 2016). A crime prevention study focusing on 110 hotspots identified led to a significant reduction in crime within eight months (Koper, 2005).

And,

The research will elucidate several potential predictors comprising socio-economic factors, peer influences, family dynamics, educational experiences, access to drugs and community characteristics. By considering this broad spectrum of variables, we aim to construct a comprehensive and holistic picture of the factors that contribute to drug abuse among Malaysian school-going adolescents in hot-spot areas. Through in-depth understanding of these predictors, we can develop targeted and context-specific strategies to prevent and address substance abuse in these high-risk communities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration US, 2016).

The significance of this research lies in its potential to address several critical issues. Firstly, it enables a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by adolescents in drug-based hot-spot areas, recognizing that their experiences may differ subtly or significantly from those in other regions. Secondly, it provides a foundation for evidence-based policymaking and intervention design, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to combat substance abuse in the areas where it is most prevalent and crucial. Ultimately, the findings from this study hold the promise of making a substantial contribution to the ongoing efforts to address substance abuse in Malaysia. Understanding the complex interplay of factors in these high-risk communities, we aspire to empower policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed to develop targeted interventions, reduce substance abuse rates, and promote the well-being and prospects of adolescents in these vulnerable

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