Amended Act 283 Spurs Surge in Voluntary Drug Rehab Admissions
Since the Aug. 22, 2025 amendments to Act 283, the National Anti-Drug Agency has seen voluntary treatment seekers rise to an average of 232 per month, up from 75, with 2,335 of its 45,999 clients opting in by Oct 11.
Amendments to Malaysia's Act 283, effective from Aug. 22, 2025, have produced a notable rise in voluntary drug-treatment admissions at the National Anti-Drug Agency, now averaging 232 per month compared with 75 previously. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reported that, up to Oct 11, 2,335 of the agency's 45,999 clients have voluntarily sought help, with 1,595 entering community-based programmes and 740 placed in the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre.
He linked the increase to the de-criminalisation provision, which prevents a criminal record for self-referrals and is expected to improve recovery rates. Most of the new volunteers are teenagers, either brought by parents or coming forward on their own. The minister affirmed that AADK's facilities, funding and staff are sufficient to meet demand. At the same event, the agency launched the MADANI Kampung Angkat and Sekolah Angkat AADK programmes and announced a MoU with the Federal Land Development Authority to expand drug-prevention and rehabilitation across more than 300 FELDA settlements, focusing on prevention, community treatment, empowerment and data sharing.
Why it matters
The policy shift shows how de-criminalisation can boost voluntary drug treatment and reshape Malaysia's approach to addiction.
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