Drug abuse in Malaysia has reached a critical level, posing significant threats to public safety, economic stability, and social structures, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Recent data indicate that Malaysia recorded 192,857 drug users and addicts in the previous year, representing an increase of nearly one-third (32.5%) compared to the preceding year. Notably, 61 per cent of these individuals were aged between 15 and 39 years. Of this population, 96 per cent were male, with peer influence and curiosity identified as primary contributing factors.
These figures were initially published in February by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA). The agency’s website reported 145,526 drug users and addicts in 2023, highlighting a 32.5 per cent rise in cases from 2023 to 2024.
Amphetamine-type stimulants, including ecstasy, accounted for over 70 per cent of drug use cases, followed by opiates such as morphine and heroin (approximately 23 per cent), and marijuana (4 per cent).
Geographically, Kelantan exhibited the highest drug abuse rate in Malaysia, with 1,130 users per 100,000 population, followed by Terengganu (974), Perlis (965), and Kedah (898).
To address this escalating and complex issue, the Cabinet committee approved the Anti-Drug Communication Plan 2025–2027. This comprehensive strategy aims to foster behavioural change, enhance awareness, and disseminate accurate information through coordinated inter-agency efforts, ultimately seeking to establish a national anti-drug movement.
Concerns have also been raised regarding mushroom-flavoured vaping products found to contain psychoactive substances or hallucinogens such as psilocybin and psilocin, based on analyses conducted by the National Poison Centre. These substances pose significant risks to children and adolescents and necessitate immediate and intensified enforcement actions.
These compounds affect sensory perception, cognition, temporal awareness, emotions, and can induce hallucinations characterised by the perception of nonexistent or distorted stimuli.
The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to utilise a crime data network analysis system to enhance monitoring of drug-related criminal patterns and to facilitate the development of more targeted and effective intervention strategies. The government remains committed to implementing the National Drug Policy, encompassing prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and enforcement measures.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid emphasised that combating drug abuse requires collective responsibility involving all societal sectors, including the public and civil society organisations. He affirmed the government’s resolve to protect future generations from drug-related threats through steadfast and uncompromising efforts.
