KOTA BHARU: The number of drug addiction cases in Malaysia increased by 14 per cent to 30,847 in 2016, compared to 26,668 in 2015, said Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat.

He said latest statistics also showed that the number of cases involving new drug addicts increased to 22,925, compared to 20,281 during the same period.

“It is difficult for the Zero Drugs Campaign conducted last year to be successful, as drugs are easily obtained from neighbouring countries.

“However, it is not just Malaysia that is facing this problem, as other Asean nations are similarly affected,” he told reporters after attending the Drug Prevention Action Council 2017 Meeting at the Kelantan Federal Development Department (JPP) here yesterday.

Also present were Director of Kelantan JPP Datuk Makhtar Mustapha, and Kelantan Police chief Datuk Ab Rahman Ismail. — Bernama