Malaysia sets six new focuses for 2026 to tackle drugs, including policy reform and tech use, after seizures surge eightfold to RM3.19 billion.
PUTRAJAYA: The government has established six major focuses as a new national agenda to combat drug abuse in 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the move following data showing an eightfold increase in drug seizures and increasingly complex syndicate threats.
Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Combating Drug Abuse, said the strategic approach is vital to strengthen the implementation of the Prime Minister’s directive on national drug policy coordination. He stated that combating drug abuse now requires dynamic, responsive, and data-driven actions due to the complex threats impacting security, public health, and social costs.
The six focuses include studying and reformulating the National Drug Policy and launching a national anti-drug communication campaign. Other thrusts are strengthening community prevention, providing stigma-free treatment, utilising digital technology, and empowering anti-drug personnel.
Data for 2025 revealed drug and poison seizures valued at RM3.19 billion, a sharp rise from RM388.07 million in 2024. The haul involved 89 tonnes of drugs and 132 tonnes of poisons, with methamphetamine being the most seized substance at over 51,000 tonnes.
Ahmad Zahid said this trend confirms aggressive threats from cross-border syndicates persist. The 2025 Drug and Substance Abuse report recorded 191,832 individuals involved, equivalent to a prevalence rate of 560 per 100,000 population.
Selangor recorded the highest number with 25,475 people. Of the total cases, 53.2% were detected through enforcement while 40% involved clients in community treatment and rehabilitation.
“This trend proves that the drug issue is not only related to crime but also a public health and social well-being issue,” he said. The government has amended the Drug Dependants Act 1983 to strengthen the transition to a treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration approach.
The detailed focuses for 2026 involve redrafting the National Drug Policy to address current and future threats. The plan also includes implementing an integrated Anti-Drug Communication Plan as a national movement.
Community-based prevention will be strengthened through the Drug-Free Aspiration Village Programme and enhanced Anti-Drug Squads. The government will also introduce a Junior Anti-Drug Squad initiative.
Further focuses are on expanding voluntary, stigma-free treatment and recovery, including skills training. The agenda mandates using digital technology and AI, such as the e-SMART system and developing a National Drug Data Centre.
It also includes upgrading the National Anti-Drug Agency Training Centre into the AADK Academy. Ahmad Zahid stressed that success requires integrated actions from the entire government and full community participation.
“Each ministry and stakeholder must play a clear role,” he said, covering prevention, education, health, welfare, youth development, housing, and employment. He emphasised that the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach must translate into concrete, measurable actions.
The government remains committed to strengthening national security and well-being through evidence-based strategies. This holistic and humane approach aims to address the increasingly challenging drug issue.
The Sun Malaysia
