What do Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis have in common? One, they’re ruled by political parties under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner, and two, they have the highest number of drug addicts nationwide.
This was recently revealed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who said these four states registered a number of drug addicts and abusers which were well above the national ratio.
Worrying figures
At the handover ceremony for the completed construction, demolition and upgrading project of the Karak National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Cure and Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Bentong, Saifuddin said the national ratio currently stood at 381 cases for every 100,000 people.
But for Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis, commonly known as SG4 (State Government 4), the number of drug addicts within their borders were much higher.
According to Saifuddin, Terengganu came in at first place with 735 cases, followed by Kelantan (694), Kedah (669), and Perlis (646), reported The Star.
He added a large portion of drug addicts in these states were aged between 15 and 39, while most had an education level of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or below.
Based on occupation, a majority were jobless, followed by the self-employed and those working in the private sector.
Govt to ramp up efforts
Saifuddin added that amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), or synthetic drugs, were the most commonly used drugs and made up 84% of cases.
These figures are not merely numbers; they send a clear signal. That is why I have urged the AADK to ensure that its programmes and policies are data-driven.
“The Home Ministry remains open to intensifying campaigns, cooperation and collaboration, including with state governments, to tackle drug abuse.”
A total of 75,501 drug addicts have since undergone treatment and rehabilitation through institutional and community-based programmes, Health Ministry facilities and private rehabilitation centres.
Saifuddin said tackling drug addiction in Malaysia “requires strong political will and cooperation” as it no longer impacts just individuals, but the country too.
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