Sabah Records 5.9 Pct Drop In Drug Abuse Cases In 2025 - AADK

KOTA KINABALU, June 15 (Bernama) -- Sabah recorded a 5.9 per cent decline in the number of drug and substance abusers in 2025, with 8,665 cases detected compared with 9,207 in 2024, according to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK).

AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the figures translated to 230 drug and substance abusers per 100,000 population, placing Sabah among the best-performing states in the country this year.

"The achievement is clear evidence of the effectiveness of integrated efforts by all parties in curbing both the supply of and demand for drugs and prohibited substances in Sabah," he said in a statement after attending the first Sabah State Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) meeting for 2026, chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor here today.

Ruslin said the meeting approved two proposals to sustain the momentum towards achieving the Drug-Free 2030 target.

He said the proposals, presented by AADK and the Sabah Anti-Drug Squad, involve expanding the Drug-Free Workplace Programme (TEKAD) in the state’s public sector and strengthening community-based anti-drug efforts.

"The initiatives are strategic measures aimed at developing resilient communities while expanding preventive education and public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug and substance abuse among Sabahans," he said.

Ruslin also expressed appreciation to the Sabah state government for its support of the Drug-Free Aspirational Village programme, which currently focuses on the two pilot locations of Kampung Likas in Kota Kinabalu and Kampung Benoni in Papar.

He said the community intervention initiative would also be reinforced through the Bersatu Lawan Najis Dadah Anti-Drug Squad programme, demonstrating the effectiveness of strategic cooperation between the federal government, the state government and local communities.

Ruslin said AADK was also actively implementing the Drug-Free Aspirations Roadshow nationwide using a two-pronged strategic approach that combines both top-down and bottom-up methods.

He said the hybrid approach aimed to mobilise communities comprehensively and build social resilience beginning at the family level to reduce dependence on and demand for drugs and other substances.

"AADK is confident that the strong commitment shown by the Sabah state leadership will produce constructive, practical and high-impact outcomes to ensure Sabah, and Malaysia as a whole, are free from the threat posed by the nation's number one enemy," he said.

-- BERNAMA