The General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) has warned citizens and expats of a new type of drug circulating in Gulf countries.

This drug, dubbed “shabu,” a psycho-stimulant commonly used in East Asian countries, can lead to schizophrenia, addiction and violence, authorities warn.

“This new type of drug is a chemical compound used in the Philippines and Indonesia, among other countries,” one official said.

This drug induces aggressive and criminal behavior and causes extensive damage to blood vessels, he said.

“Several Asian expats have been arrested after being found to be in possession of this drug,” according to a GDNC statement.

Saudis account for over 54 percent of drug users in the Kingdom, while drug addiction among women has increased by 20 percent over the past few years, according to one report.

The report states that 55 percent of drug addicts are between the ages of 19 and 30, while a study conducted by the Ministry of Interior alluded to the existence of 204,000 male and female drug addicts in the Kingdom. Female addicts account for 20 percent of these cases.

Several addiction specialists have confirmed that shabu kills off brain cells.

“Shabu began circulating thanks to the presence of a large number of Asian expats in the country, but is still far less rampant than other types of drugs,” Younes Radwn, a doctor working at a private hospital, told Arab News.

“Many erroneously think that these types of drugs merely help them stay alert at work without realizing just how addictive they are in the long run,” he said.

The use of narcotics increases during exam period, when students use pills to keep them awake for late-night revision.