MELAKA: A total 25,922 drug addicts were arrested nationwide last year based on statistics by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, said that of the total, 20,956 involved Malays, Chinese (1,947), Indians (1,760), Sabahans (999), Sarawakians (113) and others (147 persons).
He said 18,440 cases involved recurrent drug addicts while 7,482 cases were new cases of drug addiction recorded last year.
“In terms of treatment, medical and rehabilitation, a lot of money and energy are channelled by the government to treat and rehabilitate drug addicts.
“Nevertheless, we are not giving up and will continue to find ways to ensure a permanent and effective recovery,” he said in his speech at An Evening With The Deputy Prime Minister programme here yesterday.
The text of his speech was read by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron in front of 5,000 people who were placed under AADK supervision (OPK), families, AADK volunteers and the Development and Coordination Committee of the Legislative Assembly (JAPERUN).
Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid said statistics among developed countries showed that nearly 90 per cent of rehabilitated drug addicts returned to their habit in four or five years.
He said that as a proactive step, AADK introduced the ‘open access treatment’ whereby addicts could voluntarily seek treatment services without legal ties through ‘1Malaysia Cure and Care’, ‘Cure and Care Service Centre’ and ‘Caring Community House’ clinics. — Bernama