Kelantan female drug addiction rises due to partner influence

The number of female drug addicts in Kelantan increased last year to 598, up from 526 the previous year, according to the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).

Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, Director General of AADK, stated that partner influence—including husbands or boyfriends—is a primary driver. Women often use drugs as a coping mechanism for life stressors, specifically domestic conflicts and emotional distress caused by their partners.

Furthermore, women are frequently victims of psychological manipulation where partners normalize drug use under the guise of beauty or productivity. Some are led to believe that stimulants can assist with weight management, postpartum abdominal slimming, or providing extra energy for housework.

Amphetamine-type stimulants were the most commonly abused substance among women in Kelantan, with 557 cases recorded. The highest involvement was seen among youths aged 19 to 39, totaling 409 individuals.