{
  "id": 2973159,
  "title": "Adults aged 31-59 make up bulk of drug abuse cases",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/adults-aged-31-59-make-up-bulk-of-drug-abuse-cases",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T07:40:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/1517796/adults-aged-31-59-make-bulk-drug-abuse-cases"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Adults aged between 31 and 59 accounted for the majority of drug abuse cases in Malaysia, making up 71.1 percent of the total recorded from January to June this year. According to National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, 34,471 individuals aged between 15 and 30, or 26.5 percent, were recorded during the same period. The remaining 2.5 percent involved individuals aged 60 and above, totaling 3,229 people. These statistics demonstrate that drug abuse affects various age groups, including those up to 63 years old. NADA records also confirm the involvement of individuals up to 63 in drug abuse. In the 15 to 30 age group, the number of cases decreased slightly from 37,494 people (27.8 percent) last year to 34,471 this year (26.5 percent). Meanwhile, the group aged below 14 saw a decrease from 14 individuals last year to 17 this year. In terms of synthetic drugs, the primary concern lies with those aged 31 to 59 and 15 to 30, especially in the East Coast states. Ruslin highlighted that the number of drug abuse cases among individuals aged 60 and above fell to 3,229 or 2.5 percent this year, down from 4,311 or 3.2 percent last year. The NADA encourages cooperation from private companies to address drug abuse among employees through its Drug-Free Workplace Programme. NADA and law enforcement agencies, such as the police, do not discriminate against professionals versus non-professionals when dealing with drug abuse, as anyone may be vulnerable to the issue. One potential measure being discussed is the implementation of periodic or random urine tests as a screening method. NADA has recently completed a RM3.46 million purchase and renovation project for the Hulu Terengganu district office, providing enhanced facilities to strengthen operations and service delivery to the community. Among the new features are separate lock-ups for men and women, examination rooms, briefing rooms, consultation rooms, and urine screening rooms. Prior to this, Hulu Terengganu lacked such separate facilities, with women needing to be transported to other locations for arrests. The renovated office also serves as a Community Rehabilitation Centre, enabling clients under court orders to participate in rehabilitation programs periodically. With the establishment of this office, NADA's overall operations in Hulu Terengganu are now complete, enabling more effective service delivery to the community.",
  "summary": "KUALA BERANG: People aged 31 to 59 recorded the highest number of drug abuse cases in the country, with 92,590 individuals or 71.1 per cent of the total recorded from January to June this year, said National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.",
  "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."
}