70 Percent Of Addicts On Synthetic Drugs, No Fentanyl Cases Recorded – AADK DG

KOTA BHARU, April 25 (Bernama) -- The rate of synthetic drug addiction in Malaysia has reached an alarming level, accounting for 70 percent of the total number of drug addicts nationwide, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Director-General, Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.

He said the development is in line with the latest threatening trend, where syndicates have been detected mixing the illicit substances, including fentanyl, into electronic cigarette or vape liquids, with the arrests and seizures made by police serve as strong indicators that these substances existed in the country.

"However, AADK has yet to record any cases of addiction involving fentanyl at any rehabilitation centre operated by us. They (fentanyl addicts) may possibly be out there (at large),” he told reporters after the AADK Director-General's Meet and Greet Programme 2026 here, today.

Despite this, he said AADK is always prepared and possessed the capability to handle synthetic drug addiction, including that of fentanyl which is an extremely dangerous substance with a level of harm 50 percent higher than morphine, as well as hallucinogenic drugs such as magic mushrooms.

"To ensure the treatment and rehabilitation process remains effective, AADK now classifies different treatment approaches according to the type of drug consumed by those suffering from addiction," he said.

Ruslin said  a specific approach has been devised to address traditional drug addicts like those using heroin and cannabis, while a different method is used for those suffering from stimulant-type drugs addiction, such as methamphetamine and amphetamine pills, the latter commonly known by its street name pil kuda. 

"Although the basic module remains the same, the method of implementation needs to be adapted according to the needs of those undergoing rehabilitation,” he added. 

Last Tuesday, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan was reported as saying that a drug trafficking syndicate introducing vape products containing furanyl fentanyl into the local market had been detected, following a nationwide Op Vape 1.0 operation.

Meanwhile, Ruslin said drug abuse rate in states bordering neighbouring countries is still at an alarming level despite the overall addict statistics recording a slight decline last year, as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis continued to be identified as high-risk areas due to their proximity to the border entry points.

He said the total number of recorded drug addicts last year declined by 0.5 percent to 191,000 compared to 192,000 individuals in 2024, but border states continue to record high rates that requires continuous and more aggressive action.

Ruslin said the addiction rate is measured based on a ratio per 100,000 population, with current findings showing that the border states in question continue to surpass other states.

"Although strict controls are constantly enforced by law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police and the General Operations Force, drug trafficking syndicates are found to be constantly seeking various alternative routes to smuggle in drug supplies," he said.

In this regard, he said AADK's main focus this year is to reduce demand for the illicit substances through a community-based approach, early education and more comprehensive rehabilitation.

He said AADK will also begin recording addiction data by district to enable more precise and targeted action to be implemented.

"At the same time, AADK is also reviewing the formulation of a new National Drug Policy for the next five years, in line with the 20 percent increase in global addiction trends as reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime," he added.

-- BERNAMA