Nada reports Terengganu registered the highest drug abuse rate in Malaysia as of June 2026, recording nearly twice the national average.
PETALING JAYA: Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis recorded the highest rates of drug addiction and substance abuse in the country as of June 2026, with Terengganu registering nearly twice the national rate, according to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada).
Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said Terengganu recorded 735 individuals per 100,000 residents, followed by Kelantan with 694, Kedah with 669 and Perlis with 646, compared with the national rate of 381.
He said a total of 130,307 drug and substance abuse cases were recorded nationwide during the period, based on consolidated data from Nada, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Health Ministry and private rehabilitation centres.
“The ranking of these four states reflects the extent of drug addiction and substance abuse problems that require attention and targeted intervention,” he said in a statement today.
Ruslin said geographical factors, including cross-border smuggling routes, had also been identified as among the risks contributing to drug-related problems in the affected states.
He said Nada had intensified enforcement, prevention and community empowerment efforts in high-risk states, focusing on educational institutions, families and local communities.
A total of 242 prevention and public awareness programmes were conducted nationwide, involving 16,408 participants.
Of these, 228 programmes were held in Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah, attracting more than 16,000 participants.
Ruslin said Nada had also conducted 4,253 enforcement operations nationwide as of Oct 18, with 30,157 individuals detained to undergo drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Meanwhile, he said the number of individuals voluntarily seeking drug treatment and rehabilitation had increased, with the monthly average rising from 75 in 2025 to 232 this year.
“This increase reflects positive progress following the implementation of amendments to the Drug Dependants and Substance Abusers (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, which came into force on Aug 22, 2025,” he said.
Ruslin said Nada would continue adopting a data-driven approach to identify high-risk areas, prioritise targeted interventions and strengthen coordination with relevant agencies on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
He said cooperation with state governments would also be strengthened through meetings of the Drug Eradication Action (MTMD), chaired by the respective chief ministers, menteri besar and premier.
The approach would involve closer cooperation among enforcement agencies, educational institutions, families and local communities to address drug addiction and substance abuse.