PUTRAJAYA: The number of drug users and substance abusers nationwide might be on the decline, but synthetic drugs still pose a “clear and present danger” to the country.
National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh (pic) said a total of 156,316 drug users and substance abusers were recorded nationwide as of September this year, marking a 7.9% decrease compared with 169,691 cases in the same period last year.
He said amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) continue to dominate among local drug users.
“Of the total number of individuals detected, 76,467 people (83.2%) were ATS users, mostly aged between 15 and 39.
“Synthetic drugs remain the country’s ‘clear and present danger,’ with 84% of detected users consuming substances such as methamphetamine or syabu,” he said during a media engagement session on Wednesday.
Ruslin added that synthetic drugs remain a pressing concern due to their low cost, ease of production and lack of odour.
“These drugs also have severe, immediate impacts on mental health, often leading to psychosis, hallucinations and aggressive behaviour.
“ATS addiction is harder to treat than opioid dependence,” he lamented.
One of the major challenges faced by the agency is treating synthetic drug addiction, Ruslin said.
“With synthetic drugs accounting for the majority of cases, ATS users often require more intensive psychosocial treatment, unlike opioid users who may respond well to medicinal therapies such as methadone.
“At the same time, vape use is becoming a rapidly growing threat, especially among youths. We view it as a gateway to more serious addictions, adding that there have been confirmed reports of vape liquids mixed with synthetic drugs or substances like synthetic THC being sold to school students.
“To combat this, we are working closely with the Health Ministry, the police and the Education Ministry to conduct risk-based monitoring and random school screenings.”
Ruslin stressed that former drug dependants who have completed rehabilitation be given a genuine second chance to reintegrate into society without facing discrimination or negative public stigma.
He said acceptance from the community, particularly from families, is critical to preventing relapse.
“We spend two years rehabilitating them, but when they return home, society must accept them. The stigma must go.
“If the community rejects them, the risk of relapse becomes very high because they feel there is no hope outside.”
Ruslin also described the amendments to the Drug Dependents (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Act 283) as a major turning point in Malaysia’s drug policy.
“It represents a shift from punitive measures to a health-based approach, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation.
“Decriminalisation of drug dependence – not legalisation – ensures drug users are treated as patients rather than criminals.”
He added that the law’s amendments also include voluntary admission, allowing individuals or their families to seek treatment without going through the courts or acquiring a criminal record.
“Expansion of the Act’s scope to include substance abuse, enabling the government to address emerging trends such as new psychoactive substances.
“The amendments also allows individuals who misuse drugs or substances, but who have not yet developed dependency, to receive early intervention.”
