Higher Education Minister Mohd Shafie Salleh has acknowledged a drug-addiction problem in public universities, saying about 300 students are currently involved in substance abuse.

Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau quoted him today as saying that drug addiction predominantly involves Malay Malaysian students.

Shafie was speaking to reporters after launching the ministry's 'Beyond Unity Project', organised together with public tertiary institutions.

He said counsellors assisting students to overcome drug addiction will be able to attend professional courses from next month, as they currently have only basic qualifications.

This will also equip them with knowledge to conduct research into the problem, he said.

At the moment, there are only five professionals in this field, based in Universiti Malaya, International Islamic University, Universiti Sabah and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Shafie said the nine-month course will have 60 counsellors under the first phase, and the intakes will be increased gradually.

Additional names will be supplied by the education ministry and ministry of women, family and community development.