Kelantan has highest rate of drug abuse cases, followed by Terengganu

PETALING JAYA: The national anti-drugs agency (AADK) has revealed that Kelantan recorded the highest rate of drug abuse cases in the country for 2025, followed by Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah.

AADK’s prevention division director Siti Mariam Mursidan said there were 1,105 drug addicts and abusers per 100,000 population in Kelantan, while Terengganu recorded 997, Perlis (970) and Kedah (965), Bernama reported.

She said the location of these states in the north, bordering Thailand, and on the east coast, may have facilitated the entry of illicit drug supplies into the local market, making it easier for addicts to obtain the prohibited substances.

“Overall, a total of 191,832 arrests involving drug addicts and users of illegal substances were recorded throughout last year.

“Other states that also recorded relatively high rates of drug abuse were Pahang with 795 cases per 100,000 population, Penang (757), Melaka (659) and Perak (579),” she was quoted as saying after the launch of a drug-free village programme in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu today.

Also present were Terengganu deputy police chief Suffian Sulaiman and state AADK director Arzmi Abdullah.

Siti Mariam also announced the selection of two villages – Kampung Gong Rawai in Kuala Terengganu and Kampung Rawai in Marang – as pilot locations for the drug-free village programme.

She said the locations were chosen based on the commitment shown by local leaders and communities in supporting AADK’s preventive measures and related activities.

“The selection of these villages does not mean that they have a high number of drug addicts. Rather, it is based on the cooperation and readiness of the communities and local leaders to support efforts to combat the drug menace,” she said, according to Bernama.

“Terengganu is quite special because two villages have been selected as pilot projects. In other states, only one adopted village has been chosen for the same programme.”