Drug users, traffickers often linked to other crimes, says Saifuddin

 The home minister says the data clearly indicates that to address a wide range of crimes, the authorities must first tackle the drug problem.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the recovery rate for addicts registered with the National Anti-Drugs Agency has reached a commendable 80% over a two-year period. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A study by the home ministry’s data science centre has found that individuals involved in drug abuse and trafficking are more likely to be linked to other crimes, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said individuals charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for drug use are often associated with 28 other types of criminal offences, including extortion and corruption, Bernama reported.

Those charged under Section 12(2) for drug possession are typically linked to 11 other criminal offences.

“This data clearly indicates that to address a wide range of crimes, we must first tackle the drug problem,” he said during a tea session held in conjunction with the 2025 Anti-Drugs Day commemoration in Putrajaya today.

Saifuddin said the war against drugs required the involvement of all stakeholders, including the community.

“This must become a national movement involving all stakeholders — community leaders, civil society, schoolchildren, youth leaders and others. We need a shift from conventional approaches.”

Saifuddin said the National Anti-Drugs Agency had recorded 108,409 addicts in the first quarter of this year, a 10.5% decrease from 121,170 cases during the same period last year.

“The current recovery rate has reached 80% over a two-year period, which is a commendable achievement,” he added. - FMT