KUALA LUMPUR: The dominance of synthetic drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) in the local market poses a challenge to the Home Ministry in eradicating drug abuse, says Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (pic).
The Deputy Home Minister said the shift in drug trends, particularly towards synthetic substances, has made it increasingly difficult for enforcement agencies like the police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to combat the issue.
“One of the main reasons drug abuse remains difficult to control is due to the shift from organic drugs to synthetic ones, which presents a significant challenge,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Nov 20).
According to statistics, 115,410 individuals, or 70.4%, of drug users up to September this year were involved with ATS, while cannabis abuse accounted for just 4%, or 6,750 users, he said.
Shamsul Anuar was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin), who sought clarification on why decades of efforts by the ministry and related agencies to combat drug abuse appeared unsuccessful.
Earlier, in response to a question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) regarding drug abuse cases in Kedah, the Deputy Minister noted a worrying rise in the state.
Between January and August this year, he said Kedah recorded 17,278 drug-related cases, a 17.3% increase compared to the total of 14,284 cases in 2023.
Additionally, 5,960 individuals in Kedah underwent institutional rehabilitation and treatment under AADK’s national oversight between January and September this year, Shamsul Anuar revealed.
The Deputy Minister also stressed the importance of continued collaboration between agencies to address the evolving nature of drug abuse and to develop effective strategies against synthetic drug distribution and use.
