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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saifuddin Nasution: Drug use down more than 10pc nationwide, Kelantan sees biggest drop after ‘jalan tikus' crackdown
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today said that the number of drug users nationwide has dropped by approximately 10.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous period. Speaking at a press conference after his ministry's monthly assembly here, he said the drop in the first quarter was largely driven by a decline in cases reported in Kelantan. 'This is closely linked to the fact that we have shut down illegal entry points, the 'jalan tikus', which were a major channel for drug entry. So it's highly correlated,' he said, referring to the uncharted border tracks. 'As you know, we launched an enforcement campaign and intensified awareness programmes because the data shows that four states near the border are the most affected,' he added, describing Kelantan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency has since stepped up awareness and education programmes involving all stakeholders while strengthened border control to tackle the issue. The 10.5 per cent decrease reflects a drop from 121,170 cases reported in the first quarter of last year to 108,409 drug users and abusers in the same period this year. Saifuddin said his target is to further reduce the number to 60,000. In his speech directed at Home Ministry's officers, he explained that following the crackdown on all 'jalan tikus' along the Sungai Golok stretch, several immediate effects were observed. 'I was in Kelantan last week, was there any impact? The answer is yes. The first effect is that the number of people crossing through unofficial entry points has dropped significantly. Another impact is that the entertainment industry on the southern side [of Thailand] has declined by about 85 per cent. 'When we shut the route through Sungai Golok, they started entering through Kedah instead. But our narcotics division was on alert, which is why we've ramped up operations significantly,' he said. Saifuddin said AADK is currently collaborating with the National Geospatial Centre and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to develop an integrated, spatial-based reporting and analysis application for AADK services under the Malaysia Drug Profiling System. 'The raw data we've analysed helps us make projections, what we call a predictive model. We can forecast and predict which areas on the map are likely to see a rise in cases, and we also need to assess the type of treatment or intervention we've applied in those areas. 'For example, the data we've analysed identifies five districts with the highest number of drug abuse cases. These include Pendang, Kuala Krai, followed by Pasir Puteh and then Tanah Merah. These districts top the list in terms of cases per hundred thousand population,' he said. Saifuddin also shared ministry statistics from two weeks ago, showing that offences under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 serve as an enabler for 28 other crimes, including robbery, armed robbery, and corruption, among others. 'So you analyse the data and develop a predictive model. And through that model, even if something hasn't happened yet, we can predict that it might happen in the future. That way, we can come up with a mitigation plan in advance,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Drug users, traffickers often linked to other crimes, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the recovery rate for addicts registered with the National Anti-Drugs Agency has reached a commendable 80% over a two-year period. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A study by the home ministry's data science centre has found that individuals involved in drug abuse and trafficking are more likely to be linked to other crimes, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said individuals charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug use are often associated with 28 other types of criminal offences, including extortion and corruption, Bernama reported. Those charged under Section 12(2) for drug possession are typically linked to 11 other criminal offences. 'This data clearly indicates that to address a wide range of crimes, we must first tackle the drug problem,' he said during a tea session held in conjunction with the 2025 Anti-Drugs Day commemoration in Putrajaya today. Saifuddin said the war against drugs required the involvement of all stakeholders, including the community. 'This must become a national movement involving all stakeholders — community leaders, civil society, schoolchildren, youth leaders and others. We need a shift from conventional approaches.' Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency had recorded 108,409 addicts in the first quarter of this year, a 10.5% decrease from 121,170 cases during the same period last year. 'The current recovery rate has reached 80% over a two-year period, which is a commendable achievement,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
19-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Drug abuse at critical level, says Zahid
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.
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Saifuddin: Drug use down more than 10pc nationwide, Kelantan sees biggest drop after ‘jalan tikus' crackdown
PUTRAJAYA, May 13 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution today said that the number of drug users nationwide has dropped by approximately 10.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous period. Speaking at a press conference after his ministry's monthly assembly here, he said the drop in the first quarter was largely driven by a decline in cases reported in Kelantan. 'This is closely linked to the fact that we have shut down illegal entry points, the 'jalan tikus', which were a major channel for drug entry. So it's highly correlated,' he said, referring to the uncharted border tracks. 'As you know, we launched an enforcement campaign and intensified awareness programmes because the data shows that four states near the border are the most affected,' he added, describing Kelantan, Pahang, Kedah and Perlis. Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency has since stepped up awareness and education programmes involving all stakeholders while strengthened border control to tackle the issue. MORE TO COME
