{
  "id": 15730035,
  "title": "Terengganu records highest drug abuse rate in 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/terengganu-records-highest-drug-abuse-rate-in-2026",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T10:00:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/20/terengganu-records-highest-drug-abuse-rate-in-2026"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Terengganu reported the highest drug and substance abuse rate in Malaysia for 2026, with 735 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK). This was followed by Kelantan (694), Kedah (669), and Perlis (646). Nationwide, the agency recorded 130,307 cases by June, or 381 per 100,000 people.\n\nGeographical factors, especially cross-border smuggling routes, contributed to the issue in the four states, AADK stated. To combat the problem, the agency announced plans to bolster enforcement, prevention, and community programs in high-risk areas. As of October 18, they had conducted 4,253 enforcement operations across the country, leading to the detention of 30,157 individuals for treatment and rehabilitation.\n\nAADK also noted a rise in voluntary treatment, with an average of 232 people seeking help each month in 2026, up from 75 monthly cases in 2025. The agency linked this increase to changes in the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, which came into effect on August 22, 2025.",
  "summary": "The National Anti-Drugs Agency says the state recorded 735 cases for every 100,000 people, followed by Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}