Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that the number of youths involved in drug and substance abuse in Malaysia has increased significantly over the past two years.
According to data from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), 46,401 youths aged 15–30 were recorded in 2023, rising to 55,369 in 2024, an increase of 8,968 individuals or 19.3%.
In a written reply to Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN–Maran), Saifuddin noted that despite the rise in numbers, the proportion of youths among total drug addicts dropped slightly from 31.9% in 2023 to 28.7% in 2024.
Breakdown by ethnicity:
- Malay youths: 35,280 (2023) to 42,076 (2024)
- Indian youths: 2,937 to 3,951 (+34.5%)
- Chinese youths: 2,312 to 2,758 (+19.3%)
- Indigenous youths in Sabah: +8.7%; in Sarawak: +8.9%
- Others: 623 to 874 (+40.3%)
The government, Saifuddin said, remains committed to strengthening preventive and rehabilitation efforts to address the growing youth drug problem.
