ExFunCity News | Malaysia Drug Abuse Rate Highest in 4 States

The Malaysia drug abuse rate has returned to the spotlight after new figures showed Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis recording particularly high levels of drug use and abuse. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Malaysia had recorded 130,307 people with drug addiction as of June 2026, while the national ratio stood at 381 cases for every 100,000 people. BERNAMA

Latest Update

Among the four states highlighted, Terengganu recorded the highest current ratio at 735 cases per 100,000 people.

Kelantan followed with 694, Kedah with 669 and Perlis with 646 cases per 100,000 population. All four were substantially above the nationwide ratio of 381.

The figures were revealed by Saifuddin Nasution during an event at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre in Karak, Pahang, on October 5.

Readers looking for the complete figures can refer to Malaysia’s latest drug abuse figures. Bernama report

The latest Malaysia drug abuse rate data shows that the problem remains particularly noticeable in several northern and east coast states. BERNAMA

Which Age Group Is Most Affected?

According to the Home Minister, Malaysians aged 15 to 39 make up the largest group among those recorded.

Most had an educational qualification of SPM level or below. In terms of employment, unemployed people formed the largest group, followed by the self-employed and private-sector employees. Malay Mail

Another major finding involves the type of drugs being used.

Amphetamine-type stimulants, or synthetic drugs, accounted for around 84% of recorded drug use, making them the dominant substance category in the latest figures. Malay Mail

Why These Four States Keep Appearing in the Data

Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis have appeared in previous national statistics as states with high drug abuse rates.

Earlier 2025 data from the National Anti-Drugs Agency also placed these four states among the country’s highest, although their rankings and ratios were different from the latest mid-2026 figures. Officials have previously pointed to geographic factors, including proximity to international borders and drug supply routes, as one possible contributor. BERNAMA

For another report on the latest situation, see the four states above Malaysia’s national drug abuse ratio. The Star report

Current Situation

The Malaysia drug abuse rate remains a major national issue, particularly because younger adults represent a large share of recorded cases.

Saifuddin Nasution said responses to the issue should be based on detailed data, including location, age, education, employment and the substances most commonly involved. BERNAMA

The latest figures also show that drug use patterns can change from year to year, meaning current data is important when identifying which states and communities require greater attention.

What Comes Next

Authorities are expected to continue strengthening prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation programmes through agencies including AADK.

For Malaysians, the latest Malaysia drug abuse rate figures provide a clearer picture of where the highest current ratios are being recorded and which groups are most represented in the statistics.

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