PUTRAJAYA, Feb 25 — The government has identified six major focuses to combat drug abuse this year, following the latest data showing that drug seizures have jumped more than eightfold and the threat from syndicates is becoming more complex, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Combating Drug Abuse, said the six measures include the study and reformulation of the National Drug Policy, a national anti-drug communication campaign, strengthening community prevention, stigma-free treatment, the use of digital technology, and the empowerment of anti-drug personnel.
“The strategic approach is important to ensure the implementation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s No.1 Directive of 2024 for the National Drug Policy coordination machinery to be strengthened across the federal, state and district levels,” he said in a statement.
Zahid said efforts to combat drug abuse must be more dynamic, responsive and data-driven as threats are becoming increasingly complex and have direct implications on security, public health and society.
According to him, the 2025 data showed that the value of drug and poison seizures reached RM3.19 billion, much higher than RM388.07 million in 2024, involving 89 tonnes of drugs and 132 tonnes of poison, with methamphetamine remaining the most seized substance at more than 51,000 tonnes.
He said this trend shows the continued threat from cross-border syndicates.
He also said the Drug and Substance Abuse 2025 document reported 191,832 individuals involved, equivalent to a prevalence of 560 per 100,000 population, with Selangor accounting for the most people at 25,475.
Of the total, 53.2 per cent of cases were detected through enforcement while 40 per cent involved treatment and rehabilitation clients in the community.
“This trend proves that the drug issue is not only related to crime but also a public health and social well-being issue, hence the government has amended the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to strengthen the transition to an approach of treatment, rehabilitation and return to social function,” he said.
Zahid added that the war against drugs cannot be fought by one agency alone, but requires integrated action from the entire government and the participation of the entire community.
“Each ministry and stakeholder must play a clear role, covering aspects of social prevention, education, health, welfare, youth development, housing and employment opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach must be translated into concrete, measurable and continuous actions to ensure efforts to combat drug abuse are truly implemented holistically and humanely.
The government, Zahid said, remains committed to strengthening the country’s security, well-being and future through evidence-based strategic actions in addressing increasingly challenging drug issues.
