A TOTAL of 134,916 individuals were found to be involved in drug abuse in the first half of this year, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, with 97,329 of them found using synthetic drugs.
"Among the government's steps to address this problem is through initiatives under the prevention, enforcement and recovery programme.
"This includes holding public awareness campaigns targeting various segments of society," he said in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN–Jelebu) on the issue of synthetic drugs and the government's steps to curb them.
Saifuddin Nasution said other programmes implemented were Family on Alert, the Program Intelek Asuhan Rohani and Tomorrow's Leader.
According to him, the Sayangi Hidup Elak Derita Selamanya programme, the Drug-Free Workplace Programme and the Sukses, Matang, Aktif, Rational, Tanggungwab (Successful, Mature, Active, Rational, Responsible) programme were also implemented.
In the meantime, he said, an Anti-Drug Communication Plan targeting all age groups as a strategy to address the drug threat was also developed.He added that the government has also increased enforcement activities by the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies.
“The amendment to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 which came into effect on August 22 expanded access to treatment for drug addicts and substance abusers.
“It also encourages individuals, including youths, to come forward voluntarily to seek treatment and rehabilitation,” he said. – November 18, 2025
