“If we do not check (this) now, we could lead the way just like Colombia,” he told reporters after launching an event in Cheras here today.

“Addicts are doubling. My own men are arrested weekly – they are high on meth and syabu,” he added.

This year alone, 30 police officers had been arrested for taking drugs, he said.

He added that more people are now daring enough to rent out factories and even terrace houses for the manufacturing of drugs.

Hamid said the narcotics department had carried out raids on gambling dens and illegal drug labs and discovered hundreds of kg of drugs.

He said the police had recently concluded a drugs bust in Langkawi and were working with the authorities in neighbouring countries to discuss ways to tackle drug smuggling.

However, he said a more holistic approach was needed to curb drug abuse as police raids alone would not solve the problem.

“My men are tired, and we can’t keep doing raids.

“We need a holistic approach, otherwise it’s just back and forth,” he said, adding that the police had to cut off the supply of drugs.

“If we don’t act now, the country will be destroyed.”