PUTRAJAYA: There has been a 10.5% drop in the number of drug users detected nationwide in the first quarter of this year, largely because of a decline in cases in Kelantan, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the decrease was attributed to the strict enforcement action at various illegal entry points or known as "lorong tikus" (hidden border trails), a key route for drug smuggling, in Kelantan.
"For the first quarter, we recorded 108,000 cases, compared to 121,000 cases in the same period last year," he told a press conference after the Home Ministry's monthly assembly here on Tuesday (May 13).
"When we strengthen enforcement and increase awareness campaigns, the numbers reflect that, particularly in states near the borders," he added.
He said among the districts with the highest drug use were Pendang in Kedah and Kuala Krai, Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah in Kelantan.
Saifuddin also announced a collaboration between the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the National Geospatial Centre (NGC), under the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, to develop an integrated reporting and analysis system for the country's drug profiling system.
"With geospatial technology, we can map activities such as awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, giving us a more complete picture that will help improve planning.
"The goal isn’t just data collection, but to come up with predictive models.
"Even before a surge happens, we can design early mitigation plans," he said.
