What is driving users to shift from cannabis, heroin, ketum or morphine to syabu?

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Shift Towards Synthetic Drugs, Particularly Syabu, Driven by Substance Type and Detection of Fentanyl

Users in Malaysia are increasingly gravitating towards Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), with syabu (methamphetamine) being a primary focus, a situation exacerbated by the detection of the highly potent fentanyl. While synthetic drugs constitute approximately 70 per cent of all drug abuse cases recorded, the specific drivers behind the shift from substances like cannabis, heroin, ketum, or morphine to syabu are not detailed in the available information. The presence of fentanyl, noted as being significantly more dangerous than morphine, adds another layer of concern to the evolving landscape of drug abuse in the country.
Prevalence of Synthetic Drugs in Abuse Cases

Synthetic drugs represent the most widely abused substances in Malaysia, making up around 70 per cent of all recorded drug abuse incidents. In the year 2023, a total of 145,526 cases were documented, with a further 192,857 cases reported in 2024 up to the current point. These figures highlight the substantial scale of synthetic drug abuse within the nation's broader drug problem.
Identification of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) as a Key Concern

Among synthetic drugs, Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) are particularly prevalent. Data compiled from various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Health and the Royal Malaysia Police, indicates a concentration of ATS abuse in specific regions, notably the east coast states. In these areas, the focus of drug abuse has demonstrably shifted away from traditional substances like cannabis, heroin, ketum, and morphine.
Detection and Danger of Fentanyl

More recently, operations targeting adulterated vapes have led to the discovery of fentanyl. This synthetic opioid is recognised as being far more potent than morphine, potentially dozens of times stronger, and carries a significant risk of fatality. While its spread has not yet reached the same level as other synthetic drugs, its detection signifies a new and more dangerous substance entering the abuse sphere.

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What is driving users to shift from cannabis, heroin, ketum or morphine to syabu?

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