PUTRAJAYA: The government has set six major focuses as the new thrust to combat drug abuse in 2026, following the latest data showing that drug seizures have jumped more than eightfold and the threat from syndicates is becoming more complex, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Combating Drug Abuse, said this includes the study and reformulation of the National Drug Policy, a national anti-drug communication campaign, strengthening community prevention, stigma-free treatment, the use of digital technology and the empowerment of anti-drug personnel.
"The strategic approach is important to ensure that the implementation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Directive No. 1 of 2024 relating to the National Drug Policy coordination machinery can be strengthened across the federal, state and district levels," he said in a statement.
Ahmad Zahid said efforts to combat drug abuse require dynamic, responsive and data-driven actions as today's threats are increasingly complex and have direct implications on security, public health and the country's social costs.
According to him, the 2025 data showed that the value of drug and poison seizures reached RM3.19bil, much higher than the RM388.07mil recorded in 2024.
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This involved 89 tonnes of drugs and 132 tonnes of poisons, with methamphetamine remaining the most seized substance at more than 51,000 tonnes.
He added that the 2025 Drug and Substance Abuse report recorded 191,832 individuals involved, equivalent to a prevalence rate of 560 per 100,000 population, with Selangor reporting the highest number at 25,475 people.
Of the total, 53.2 per cent of cases were detected through enforcement, while 40 per cent involved treatment and rehabilitation clients in the community.
"This trend proves that the drug issue is not only related to crime but also a public health and social well-being issue, hence the government has amended the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to strengthen the transition to an approach of treatment, rehabilitation and return to social function,” he said.
Efforts to combat drug abuse also include strengthening voluntary treatment and recovery including expanding access without stigma, expanding skills training and TVET; the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence such as the e-SMART system, MySupport and the development of the National Drug Data Centre.
Ahmad Zahid added that success in combating drugs cannot be achieved by one agency alone, but rather requires integrated actions from the government and community participation.
"Each ministry and stakeholder must play a clear role, covering aspects of social prevention, education, health, welfare, youth development, housing and employment opportunities,” he said.
The government, he said, remains committed to strengthening the country's security, well-being and future through evidence-based strategic actions in addressing the increasingly challenging drug issue. – Bernama
