{
  "id": 8585826,
  "title": "Partners drive rise in drug addiction among Kelantan women",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/partners-drive-rise-in-drug-addiction-among-kelantan-women",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-20T02:05:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1536676/partners-drive-rise-drug-addiction-among-kelantan-women"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Kelantan, partners like husbands and boyfriends are primarily responsible for the surge in drug addiction among women, with cases increasing from 526 to 598 last year, according to Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, director-general of the National Anti-Drugs Agency. A study revealed that life stress was the main factor, with marital conflicts and abusive behavior by husbands being the most common triggers. Women often turned to drugs as a coping mechanism for emotional pain caused by their partners. They were also influenced by those close to them who normalized drug use for beauty, productivity, weight management, and energy.\n\nThe situation is worsened by living in a family environment where a partner is also a drug user, leading to a cycle of involvement that is exacerbated by neglect, loneliness, and breakdowns in relationships. Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) were the most widely used illicit substances among women in Kelantan, with 557 cases, followed by those aged 19 to 39, with 409 cases. The agency's Community-Based Treatment and Rehabilitation programme showed a 76.4% achievement rate for female clients in Kelantan last year, with 42 clients achieving good to excellent recovery levels. This success highlights the importance of family involvement in helping women maintain their recovery.",
  "summary": "KOTA BARU: Partners, particularly husbands and boyfriends, drove an increase in drug addiction among women in Kelantan last year, with cases rising to 598 from 526 the previous year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Partners, mainly husbands and boyfriends, drive rise in drug addiction among Kelantan women.",
    "Life stress, marital conflicts, and abusive behavior by husbands are main triggers.",
    "Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) most widely used illicit substances among women in Kelantan."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in drug addiction among Kelantan women highlights the destructive role of partners in enabling and exacerbating the problem, underscoring the need for family involvement in recovery efforts.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Partners’ influence main factor behind rise in Kelantan female drug addiction",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/partners-influence-main-factor-behind-rise-in-kelantan-female-drug",
        "published": "2026-09-20T01:34:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}