Drug abuse at critical level, says Zahid

Free Malaysia Today

19-05-2025

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid highlighted new concerns over mushroom-flavoured vape products found to contain psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and psilocin. (Bernama pic)
PUTRAJAYA : Drug abuse in Malaysia has reached a critical level and now poses a serious threat to public safety, economic stability, and the country's social structure, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid said today.
Citing the latest data, he said there were 192,857 drug users and addicts in the country, 61% of whom were aged between 15 and 39 as of 2024.
'Of this number, 96% are male, driven largely by peer influence and curiosity,' he said in a statement after chairing a Cabinet committee meeting on eradicating drug abuse.
Zahid said Kelantan recorded the highest rate of drug abuse with 1,130 users per 100,000 population, followed by Terengganu (974), Perlis (965) and Kedah (898).
To address the problem and the increasingly complex challenges, he said, the committee today approved the Anti-Drug Communication Plan 2025–2027, which adopts a comprehensive and targeted approach.
He said the plan focuses on promoting behavioural change, increasing awareness, and delivering accurate information through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies, towards a national anti-drug movement.
To enhance treatment and rehabilitation efforts, the Drug Assessment Centre (DAC) under the National Anti-Drugs Agency has adopted a single-point entry approach to expedite screening and intervention for detainees without waiting for pathology results.
'As of April 5, a total of 261 detainees had undergone evaluation at the DAC in Kuala Muda, Kedah,' he said.
He also highlighted new concerns over mushroom-flavoured vape products found to contain psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, based on findings by the National Poison Centre.
'These substances pose a serious risk to children and youth and require immediate and more aggressive enforcement action,' he said.
Zahid also announced that the home ministry would utilise the crime data network analysis system to better track drug-related crime patterns and help develop more focussed and effective strategies.
He said the government remains firm about implementing the National Drug Policy, which covers prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and enforcement.
'The fight against drugs is a shared responsibility that requires active involvement from all levels of society, including the public and civil society groups.
'To protect future generations from the threat of drugs, we will remain steadfast and uncompromising in this fight against the nation's number one enemy,' he said.