By: Nur Izmawati Izwar Arfani

KUALA TERENGGANU, 15 June 2022 – The number of addicts and individuals who involved with drugs and substance abuse in Terengganu has a decrement of 3.7 percent in 2021.

In 2021, the rate recorded a total of 12,033 people compared to 12,499 the previous year.

Md. Saidin Mohd Noor, Assistant Director of Prevention at the Terengganu National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), stated that while statistics showed a decrease, Terengganu remains to be one of the states with the highest drug addiction and abuse problems in the country.

“The majority of those involved are youths, and the situation is concerning given the rising demand for synthetic drugs like Methamphetamine, as well as the emergence of a new type of psychoactive drug, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), in the Asian market.

“In this regard, NADA is committed to and always strives to eradicate drug and substance abuse in the state by conducting ongoing operations and prevention campaigns among the community,” he explained.

He made the remarks at the Wisma Darul Iman here during the National Anti-Drugs Day (HADK) 2022 Commemoration Ceremony. The ceremony was officiated by the Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmad Samsuri reminded state government personnel not to engage in any drugs abuse activities in order to avoid prosecution.

Furthermore, the government will not compromise on the issue since it affects the government’s image.

“We (the state government) will not tolerate any civil servant who is involved in drugs, and disciplinary action will be taken because it affects not only the individual, but also the image of the entire agency,” he explained.