Saifuddin said data from Bukit Aman’s narcotics crime investigation department, the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), the health ministry, and selected private rehabilitation centres found that Pendang had an average of 1,333 drug addicts per 100,000 residents.

He said other districts with similarly high rates included Machang and Bachok in Kelantan, as well as Besut, Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu.

“Marang (Terengganu) would top the list if we were to look at the highest number of drug addicts per 10,000 of the population instead,” he told reporters during a dialogue with the police at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara.

Saifuddin also said this data had enabled the government and stakeholders to “zoom in on the most toxic districts” in the nation with targeted outreach programmes.

He added that the home ministry would develop a plan within six months after taking into consideration the necessary funds, resources and labour.

“We will evaluate the programme six months after its launch to see if it is effective.”

Saifuddin said a majority of drug addicts in the nation were Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia holders and came from either B40 or M40 families, with most of them unemployed or working in the private sector.

AADK last year revealed that Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu were the states with the highest drug addiction rates per capita.

It said the government aimed to reduce drug addiction rates to 400 per 100,000 residents by 2025.