Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to mass overdose deaths in the US, has now entered Malaysia’s drug landscape. Authorities warn of its rapid spread, deadly potency, and the urgent need for a national response.
Last month, Malaysia hit a grim milestone against its ongoing war against illicit drugs and substance abuse: the emergence of fentanyl within the country.
Until recently, authorities believed that this synthetic opioid – linked to over a million deaths in the US – had not taken root locally. Drug users in Malaysia have traditionally turned to substances like cannabis, heroin, methamphetamine, and yaba pills.
However, authorities had remained vigilant against fentanyl abuse regardless; when certain narcotics gain traction in the West, as fentanyl usage has in the United States, Malaysia tends to follow suit.
That caution was justified.
Authorities have now confirmed the presence of fentanyl in several parts of the country. Traces were discovered near Lembah Subang, where police suspect a clandestine drug lab had begun producing the substance locally.
“Previously, fentanyl was found in samples collected from the Klang Valley, and we have now detected it in Johor as well. There is a clear trend in fentanyl use, even before a nationwide assessment has been conducted,” announced Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
But what exactly is fentanyl—and why is its appearance in Malaysia raising the proverbial smoke alarm?
Fentanyl: The “Zombie Drug” With A Deadly Edge
‘Zombie drug’ fentanyl detected in Malaysia, raises alarms
Fentanyl, often called the “zombie drug” and 100 times stronger than morphine, has been detected in Malaysia, including the Klang Valley and Johor, through sewage analysis. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri… pic.twitter.com/3uNO9687F6
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) March 27, 2025
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is similar to morphine – but 100 times more potent. It is also known to be 50 times more potent than heroin, and works by binding to receptors in the brain that affect pain and emotions.
The result of taking it isn’t just pain-relieving; it also creates a strong sense of euphoria.
Typically prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, such as that experienced by cancer patients or someone recovering from surgery, it can also be found in various forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, or injections.
Utilising fentanyl transdermal patches are a particularly concentrated way for taking in this drug which, when applied to the skin, can gradually absorb it into the bloodstream over a period of 72 hours.
When used outside medical supervision, even a minuscule miscalculation in dosage can lead to an overdose.
As the brain adapts to fentanyl, users require higher doses to feel the same effect. Over time, this leads to complete emotional blunting, where users become unable to feel pleasure without the drug. That dependency, coupled with its availability on the black market, makes fentanyl one of the most dangerous substances in circulation today.
The Affliction of Excessive Pain Relief
One thing rarely mentioned in the marketing of drug abuse is all the risk that comes with taking it recreationally.
So a note of caution: while it can make you feel really good while you are under its influence, overdosing on fentanyl can easily lead to respiratory failure, and, subsequently, death.
The US has been a major witness to how the illicit distribution of fentanyl—which sees it typically sold as powders and counterfeit pills—can get out of hand. It has fuelled a drug-related epidemic, causing the deaths of almost one million Americans in just the past 20 years or so.
“High incidents of reported deaths related to fentanyl abuse in the US have been linked to illegally made fentanyl which can be adulterated with other illegal drugs,” added Dr Gomathinayagam Kandasami, a Senior Consultant at the National Addictions Management Service, in The Straits Times.
Unlike heroin, synthetic fentanyl is cheaper and easier to produce. And now that it has arrived in Malaysia, its high potency and potential for hidden contamination make it a lethal trap, especially for those already struggling with addiction.
Treating Addiction: A Psychological Armed Conflict
Just as with any other drug addiction, overcoming fentanyl addiction will require detoxification and rehabilitation.
“The person with fentanyl addiction would need to go through an inpatient detox programme to give up their dependence on the drug, followed by either community or residential-based long-term rehabilitation interventions to stay clean,” said Dr Kandasami.
And with detoxification comes the agony of withdrawal symptoms.
Other than an intense craving to go back to abusing the drug, symptoms also range from sweating, nausea and muscle aches, to insomnia, irritability and anxiety.
Fentanyl addicts can experience these symptoms as soon as 12 hours after they stop taking it—and this is just the start of what will be a drawn-out mental battle. While the physical symptoms can last for several days, its psychological impact can persist for far longer.
Malaysia’s Progress in the Drug War
Fentanyl’s entrance into the nation’s playing field underscores how quickly trends regarding substance abuse evolves.
Fortunately, Malaysia has been advancing its strategy to try to keep up with the ever-changing situation, and the results show it.
To begin with, the presence of fentanyl was discovered in what is considered a groundbreaking effort to track dangerous substances through wastewater analysis, or the analysis of drug residue in the country’s sewage systems.
This capability, when expanded to the whole country, will offer clear data on the presence of drugs that is crucial for intelligence gathering and operations.
Furthermore, a collaboration between the Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has produced a biosensor test kit using the Tims-Tof machine. According to authorities, it gives faster, more accurate results when it comes to tracing different types of drugs.
Still, legislative gaps remain.
There have also been mentions of expanding the list of banned drug-related chemicals in Malaysia; at 110 items, the list is a fraction of that of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which holds over 1000 drugs. This makes it harder for the police to take action in regards to the abuse of new substances.
However, it should be highlighted that these are recent developments. The very existence of fentanyl within the nation acts as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for not only enhanced drug enforcement measures moving ahead, but also greater public awareness.
Although efforts to prevent its spread are ongoing, Malaysia has still some way to go if it wants to make greater progress in the war waged against drug abuse
Read more:
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External References
- Botts, J., Hartman, T., & Tai, C. (2023, August 9). Fast, cheap and deadly. Reuters. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/MEXICO-DRUGS/FENTANYL/dwvkadblovm/
- Davis, K. (2024, March 19). Everything you need to know about fentanyl. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308156
- Garekar, B. (2025, March 19). Will Trump’s trade war end America’s fentanyl crisis? The Straits Times. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/will-trumps-trade-war-solve-americas-fentanyl-crisis
- Kuschmider, R. (2024, June 13). What to Know About Fentanyl Withdrawal. WebMD. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-know-fentanyl-withdrawal
- Mahmud, A. H. (2021, March 24). ‘A lot easier to overdose … and die’: Experts send warning after first seizure of fentanyl in Singapore. CNA. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/fentanyl-singapore-cnb-overdose-die-drug-addiction-278461
- Malay Mail. (2025, March 26). Fentanyl may already be here — How analysing wastewater led to narcotics cops discovering presence of ‘zombie drug’. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/03/26/fentanyl-may-already-be-here-how-analysing-wastewater-led-to-narcotics-cops-discovering-presence-of-zombie-drug/170944
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, June). Fentanyl DrugFacts. Retrieved from: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
- Szalavitz, M. (2024, September 27). How Fentanyl Drove a Tsunami of Death in America. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/09/27/opinion/fentanyl-overdose-deaths.html
- Tan, B. (2024, March 14). IGP says Malaysia not narcotics producer, but transit hub. Malay Mail. Retrieved from: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/03/14/igp-says-malaysia-not-narcotics-producer-but-transit-hub/123469
- University of Illinois. (2020, October 6). Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/fentanyl-transdermal-patch
- Zolkepli, F. (2025, March 26). Potent drug fentanyl detected in sewage system, says Deputy IGP. The Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/26/fentanyl-use-suspected-in-malaysia-authorities-uncover-alarming-drug-trend
- Zolkepli, F. (2025, March 27). ‘Zombie drug’ lurking in our sewage. The Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/27/zombie-drug-lurking-in-our-sewage
