PETALING JAYA: The Parliament Special Select Committee (PSSC) must look into ensuring that trained medical practitioners are included in the management of drug addiction cases, said Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz.
Dr Azizan also welcomed an earlier decision to refer the controversial Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024 to two Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSC), on health and security, respectively, for further engagement on the matter.
According to Dr Azizan, substance dependence is a medical and health condition where only qualified doctors should be allowed to assess drug dependents and provide recommendations for treatment to the magistrate.
“Doctors, through their assessment, will need to understand underlying factors and determine the severity of dependency on a case-to-case basis.
“The causes of substance dependence are rooted in biological, psychological, and social factors. It requires extensive assessment through taking a detailed and targeted history, and clinical examination before blood or urine tests are taken,” said Dr Azizan.
Dr Azizan also said the PSSC must address the Act’s definition of dependence.
“The act loosely defines dependence as “menjejaskan kawalan kendiri” which is incorrect.
“The accepted definition of substance dependence should come from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), where there are 11 criteria,” said Dr Azizan.
Dr Azizan said drug use disorder under the DSM is defined as a problematic pattern of drug use leading to distress or functional impairment.
“Criteria include unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control use, spending excessive time acquiring or using drugs, craving, neglecting responsibilities, and continued use despite social or personal consequences.
“Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms may develop. Severity based on the number of met criteria: mild (2-3), moderate (4-5), or severe (6+). (DSM-5-T).
“Transparency and full accountability must also be ensured in the management of all cases of drug dependency and misuse; leaving no room for any possible abuse of power or corrupt practices by any official,” said Dr Azizan.
On Tuesday (July 9), Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the two PSSCs will invite all relevant stakeholders, including MPs, law experts, and non-governmental organisations to further fine-tune the bill before it is brought back to the Dewan Rakyat.
The drug rehabilitation law amendments recently received strong criticism from medical groups and even some government backbenchers.
Amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on July 2, sought to differentiate the interpretation of a drug-or substance-dependent person and a substance misuser.
The amendments aimed to widen the scope of treatment and rehabilitation for addicts.
Section 6(a) will empower a Magistrate to allow a drug or substance misuser to undergo treatment and rehabilitation on the recommendation of a rehabilitation officer, with the individual allowed to make representations.
Drug- or substance-dependent individuals will also be eligible for this programme, and they can apply to undergo voluntary treatment.
Based on test results, a rehabilitation officer will decide whether the individual will undergo treatment and rehabilitation at a rehabilitation centre, service centre, or a private rehabilitation centre for a period not exceeding two years, or within the community under the supervision of an officer.
Guardians or those who have reason to believe that a minor is drug- or substance-dependant or a misuser can also apply for the minor to receive treatment and rehabilitation under the proposed amendments to Section 9. The minor must appear before a rehabilitation officer.
