BENTONG: Two east coast states are among four states with the highest rates of drug abuse in the country as of June, with all four recording rates above the national average of 381 per 100,000 population.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Terengganu recorded the highest rate at 735 per 100,000 population, followed by Kelantan (694), Kedah (669) and Perlis (646).

He said the country recorded 130,307 people involved in drug abuse and addiction as of June.

"Based on our profiling, those involved in drug abuse were aged between 15 and 39 years. In terms of education, the majority had Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications or lower.

"Based on employment status, we found that the highest number were among the unemployed, followed by the self-employed and those working in the private sector," he told reporters after attending the handover ceremony for the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Karak today.