This phenomenon is akin to Hollywood where Tinseltown celebrities are found in rehab facilities battling drug addiction or alcoholism.
Below is the list of past cases involving local celebrities who have found themselves lost in drugs:
A collage showing Malaysian celebrities -- who have been charged for drug addiction. They are believed to have turned over a new leaf and lead a healthier life today. - Photo source Astro AWANI
Shereen, actor/singer
Actress-singer Noor Sheereen Hadzim or Shereen was released of three counts of control and possession of drugs some four years ago.
On March 23, 2005 Shereen with her companion and two friends were charged when they were found positive for methamphetamine.
It was reported that they committed the offense at a unit of an apartment in Subang, Selangor on March 15, 2005.
Saleem - Iklim, singer
On March 12, 2005, rocker Saleem of Iklim was found guilty of possessing a plastic packet containing mixture of heroine and monoacetlymorphine as well as another plastic package containing undisclosed substance in July, 2004.
Saleem whose full name is Salim Abdul Majeed served an eight month jail sentence starting Dec 13, 2004.
Samzy Fuzette A. Samad, actor
Samzy Fuzette A. Samad is the actor and brother of Shaheizy Sam and he was charged with possession of cocaine when he was arrested in Bukit Antarabangsa in Selangor on 11 April, 2005. The drugs were stored in 10 packages in a transparent plastic bag in Samzy's possession.
Samzy was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in jail and three strokes of the cane, imposed by the Ampang Magistrate's Court.
Baby Erin - Res2, singer
Former singer of all-female outfit Res2, Lily Zarina also known as Baby Erin was detained along with actor, Samzy Fuzette Abdul Samad and four companions.
She pleaded guilty to the offense for the abuse of syabu or methamphetamine.
Ameng - Spring, singer
Frontman of pop outfit, Spring, Wan Aminuddin Wan Ismail, better known as Ameng, is currently serving a prison sentence.
In October 2005, Ameng pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court in Besut, Terengganu on charges of drug abuse and possession of methamphetamine in Kampung Batang Besut.
In December 2005, Ameng admitted the offense, he was sentenced to a fine of RM3,000 or jailed for four months by the Magistrate's Court in Besut, Terengganu after pleaded guilty to a drug charge in early September 2005.
Ameng was arrested and jailed for two months and fined RM4,000 by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court after he was found guilty on charges of marijuana abuse by the Criminal Investigation Division of Narcotics Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
12 April 2011, Ameng was sentenced to an eight-year imprisonment and 10 lashes by the Melaka Sessions Court judge for drug offense.
Jamal Abdillah, singer
Jamal Abdillah was detained on Jan 18 2007, together with his cousin at a guest house in Teluk Intan on suspicion of drug possession.
The police also found a tube of syabu in one of the rooms at the premises.
However, Jamal pleaded not guilty to drug charge in Teluk Intan Magistrate's Court and was released on bail of RM1,000.
Jamal underwent a five-year rehabilitation programme at a rehab centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Zack - New Boyz, bassist
Zack whose full name Radin Irwan Dhul Karnain Graciela was charged with trafficking marijuana weighing 1.321kg at K-11-9, Jalan PJU 6, Persiaran Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, at 9.20pm on January 26, 2010.
The father of two was charged under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39B (2) of the same Act which provides for the mandatory death sentence if convicted.
In early 2013, the bassist of all-male outfit, New Boyz was remanded for three years in the prison and released when he was found not guilty by Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir.
Benjy, actor
Benjamin Khaeryll, Benjy, the son of late actress, Azean Irdawaty was arrested at his home in Segambut on March 11, 2010 on suspicion of having 850 grams of cocaine and 1.4 grams of cocaine with the booty worth RM650,000.
During trhe raid, police found a drug processing laboratory at a unit of an apartment.
At that time, the father of a four-year-old daughter and his female companion were tested positive for methamphetamine.
Benjy escaped the gallows under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 mandatory death sentence.
On 27 June 2013, Benjy was again arrested for drug abuse offenses in a raid at a condominium in Bukit Antarabangsa here. Urine tests carried out showed that he was positive of syabu.
Saiful Apek, comedian/actor
Celebrity Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusoff or popularly known as Saiful Apek was found guilty for smoking marijuana on June 12, 2010.
On May 22, 2013, the Shah Alam High Court ordered the comedian to defend himself after allowing the prosecution's appeal against the decision of the Magistrate's Court which acquitted them of the charge on June 25, 2013.
Saiful Apek and his employees were released after the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case.
Radhi - OAG, singer
Former alternative band vocalist, Radhi of Old Automatic Garbage (OAG) surprised his fans after he confessed to drug addiction since he was 15. Radhi undergone drug rehabilitation with Pengasih in January 2011.
Radhi now undergoing a drug-free life.
Zarina Anjoulie, singer/model
Actress and model, Zarina Anjoulie Lavocah Mohamad Fahizul was arrested for allegedly possessing Eramin 5 pills at a unit of a condominium in Petaling Jaya on Dec 30, 2013. Zarina and her companion were tested positive for methampetamine.
Both pleaded not guilty to possessing two Eramin 5 pills weighing 0.6gram each when the charge was read out by Magistrate Nazri Omran.
Zarina was also arrested by the police in a Chinese New Year Celebration Ops 2010 at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang for drug abuse suspicion.
Ezad - Exist, singer
Ezad of Exist or Mohd Rohaizad bin Mohd Lazim was arrested at a car park compound car park of a shopping centre in Selayang for possessing a packet containing cocaine on Nov 20, 2014.
Ezad was later tested positive for cocaine.
