GEORGE TOWN: A total of 689 people have voluntarily sought drug treatment and rehabilitation under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) programme as of May 31.
AADK enforcement and security division director Mahadzir Elias said the approach allows drug abusers to seek treatment without legal action and helps reduce stigma.
“The total includes individuals treated and rehabilitated at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen),” he told a press conference on Thursday night, Bernama reported.
Since the amendment to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 took effect on Aug 22, 2025, the agency has allowed wider access for drug users to seek voluntary treatment lasting between three months and two years, depending on severity, he said.
“We have also detained 14,518 addicts nationwide as of May 31, or 30.43% of our 47,000 targets for the year.
“Drug abuse is no longer confined to specific hotspots; it is happening inside homes, workplaces and other spaces once perceived as safe,” he said.
Mahadzir acknowledged that the agency is facing growing hurdles with synthetic substances, including drug-infused vape liquids.
“However, most of these substances can still be detected through screening tests conducted by the agency.”
Meanwhile, Mahadzir said that a husband and wife who tested positive for morphine and methamphetamine while caring for their two young children were among 164 people detained in a three-day AADK operation in Penang that ended on Wednesday.
“Of the 164 detainees, 149 tested positive for drugs and nine breached Community-Based Treatment and Rehabilitation programme conditions.
“Men accounted for 155 arrests, or 94.5% compared with nine women, aged 19 to 65,” said Mahadzir.
“Methamphetamine was the most commonly abused drug with 100 cases, or 61% of arrests, followed by opiates (35) and cannabis (18),” he added.
