NUMBER OF DRUG ABUSERS DROPS BY 10.5 PER CENT IN Q1 2025 - SAIFUDDIN NASUTION

PUTRAJAYA, May 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has recorded a significant decline in drug abuse and addiction cases nationwide during the first quarter of this year, reversing a three-year upward trend.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that drug-related cases dropped by 10.5 per cent to 108,409 individuals as of March, compared to 121,170 cases during the same period last year.

Of the total, 60 per cent were new cases, while the remaining 40 per cent involved repeat offenders.

According to Saifuddin, Terengganu recorded the highest rate of drug users and abusers per 100,000 population at 663, followed by Perlis (609) and Kelantan (597).

“One of the key factors contributing to this decline is the successful crackdown and closure of rat routes and smuggling trails in Kelantan, a major entry point for drug supplies,” he told a press conference after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly today.

Beyond tighter border controls, he noted that continuous enforcement operations and intensified public awareness campaigns since early this year have also contributed to the downward trend.

According to the minister, the previous three years saw a steady increase in drug-related cases, with 137,176 individuals recorded in 2022 and rising to 145,526 in 2023.

“The year 2024, however, marked a sharp rise in total cases to 192,857, an increase of 32.5 per cent.

“The majority of those involved were aged between 15 and 39, accounting for 117,478 individuals or 60.9 per cent of all cases,” he said.

In terms of substance type, Saifuddin said Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), including methamphetamine (syabu), ecstasy, and amphetamine, remained the most commonly abused drugs, with cases rising by 34.4 per cent to 139,909 compared to 2023.

Cannabis use also surged, recording a 63.4 per cent increase to 7,121 cases from 4,358 last year.

Saifuddin said this early downward trend demonstrates the effectiveness of the government’s comprehensive and multi-agency approach to tackling drug abuse, a long-standing national challenge.

He said the ministry’s data analysis also identified five districts with the highest number of drug abuse cases, namely Pendang in Kedah, as well as Kuala Krai, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, and Tanah Merah in Kelantan.

Moving forward, Saifuddin said the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) in collaboration with the National Geospatial Centre, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is being implemented by developing an integrated spatial-based AADK service reporting and analysis application for the Malaysia Drug Profiling System.

He said that through the application, data analysis can be carried out to identify, anticipate and predict trends in drug or substance addiction and abuse based on demographics and socio-economics.

“In addition, AADK can also identify and address issues and challenges, strengthen service processes and increase efficiency, thus optimising the use of resources,” he said.

-- BERNAMA