IPOH: The National Anti-Drug Agency (NADI) has rejected suggestion by Risda to plant ketum commercially.
NADI enforcement and safety director Zainudin Abdullah said this was because there were too many cases of people abusing ketum despite its leaves being harvested on a small scale.
"If it is planted commercially, it may lead to worsening addiction problems," he said.
Zainuddin noted that addicts in the country are creative.
"They will add ketum water to mosquitoe repellent or soft drinks for that extra kick. Some even go as far as adding other types of drugs in the water," he said.
Studies done by the agency revealed that addicts would drink three packets of ketum water daily to reach their high, said Zainuddin.
He was speaking to reporters after closing a self-defence course for its officers at the General Operations Force headquarters in Ulu Kinta today.
Zainuddin said addiction cases are high in states where ketum leaves can be found in abundance. such as Perlis and Kedah.