Site logo

Highest Drug Use In Malaysia Is Amongst The Poor

It is common knowledge that Malaysia is one of the world’s toughest countries when it comes to drugs. According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), Malaysia’s overall prevalence of lifetime drug use at 1.5% is lower than global prevalence of 5%.

The nation may seem like it is doing better in comparison with the world, but the problem may be that drug abuse are related to other social issues such as poverty and accessibility.

Here’s what we found, drug usage is highest amongst the following groups:

The majority of drug users started with marijuana and at ages between 18-24 years old.

Marijuana (ganja and cannabis) are considered the top two highest substance abuse.


In early 2020, the Malaysian government revised existing substance abuse policies in particular decriminalising drug use. Hear what the then health minister had to say:

What efforts are being taken and required to combat this serious social ill among poor communities?

Stories You May Also Like:

BURSA TOP 20: Who’s The most charitable?