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PUTRAJAYA: Drug abuse has reached a critical level and now poses a serious threat to public safety, economic stability and the country’s social structure, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
To address the growing problem and increasingly complex challenges, he said the Cabinet Committee on Eradicating Drug Abuse has approved the Anti-Drug Communication Plan 2025-2027, which takes a comprehensive and targeted approach.
The Deputy Prime Minister said there were 192,857 drug users and addicts in the country as of last year, with 61% aged 15 to 39.
"Of this number, 96% are male, driven largely by peer influence and curiosity,” he said in a statement after chairing the committee meeting here on Monday (May 19).
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Ahmad 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).
He said the communication plan approved today 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 (AADK) has adopted a single-point entry approach to expedite screening and intervention for detainees without waiting for pathology results.
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"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 involving 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.
Ahmad Zahid also announced that the Home Ministry will use the Crime Data Network Analysis system to track drug-related crime patterns and help develop more focused and effective strategies.
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He stressed that the government remains firm in 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 added. – Bernama
