Partner influence cited as key driver of female drug addiction in Kelantan

Research conducted by Malaysia's National Anti-Drugs Agency has pinpointed partner influence as a significant catalyst in the escalating problem of female drug addiction in Kelantan, according to agency director-general Ruslin Jusoh.

The study found that marital discord and the behaviour of husbands or partners featured prominently in the circumstances surrounding drug dependence among women in the state. The findings suggest that relationship instability and negative spousal influence play critical roles in pushing women towards substance abuse.

The research underscores the complex social factors underlying addiction beyond individual vulnerabilities, with family dynamics emerging as a crucial consideration in prevention and rehabilitation efforts. Experts have long recognised that women's pathways into drug addiction often differ significantly from men's, frequently involving interpersonal relationships and domestic circumstances.

The National Anti-Drugs Agency's findings carry implications for policymakers and health authorities designing intervention programmes. The emphasis on marital factors suggests that family-centred approaches and domestic support systems may prove essential in addressing female addiction rates in Kelantan and potentially across the region.

Authorities have not yet announced specific policy responses based on the study's conclusions, though the research provides a foundation for developing more targeted strategies to combat drug addiction among women in the state.