{
  "id": 12083501,
  "title": "Four states record drug abuse rates above national average, says Saifuddin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/four-states-record-drug-abuse-rates-above-national-average-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T05:26:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1548000/four-states-record-drug-abuse-rates-above-national-average-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BENTONG: Four states have drug abuse rates exceeding the national average of 381 per 100,000 people, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Terengganu leads with a rate of 735 per 100,000, followed by Kelantan (694), Kedah (669) and Perlis (646). As of June, Malaysia reported 130,307 individuals affected by drug abuse and addiction. The majority of those involved were aged between 15 and 39, with most holding only Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or lower education qualifications. Unemployment was the most prevalent factor, followed by self-employment and private sector employment. Saifuddin emphasized that amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) or synthetic drugs were the most widely used, accounting for 84 percent of cases. Cannabis was also commonly used, but synthetic drugs remained the most prevalent. Saifuddin instructed National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) to utilize the data to develop data-driven anti-drug campaigns, targeting public participation and rehabilitation programs based on the statistics. The Home Ministry is open to further collaboration with state governments to intensify anti-drug efforts, using a data-driven approach similar to flood mapping systems.",
  "summary": "BENTONG: Two east coast states are among four states with the highest rates of drug abuse in the country as of June, with all four recording rates above the national average of 381 per 100,000 population.",
  "key_points": [
    "Four states have drug abuse rates above national average of 381 per 100,000",
    "Terengganu leads with 735 per 100,000, followed by Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis",
    "Amphetamine-type stimulants are most widely used, accounting for 84% of cases"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}