PETALING JAYA: The agency tasked with carrying out the government’s new policy on drug and substance abuse needs to work with the private sector and civil society for the initiative to work, say experts in the field. They argued that those working in non-government rehabilitation centres had decades of experience and the latest know-how in treating addicts, which would be useful for the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
This is since AADK will be the main agency tasked with assessing and treating drug addicts as the government moves to decriminalise and end imprisonment of substance abuse.
Jaafar Daud, who is chairman of the Selangor chapter of the Pengasih Association, a substance abuse treatment and prevention NGO, said there are about 60 NGOs in Malaysia that deal with drug treatment and rehabilitation but they appeared to have been left out by the authorities for collaborations on the initiative.
Exasperated by the bureaucracy, Jaafar claimed AADK did not consult enough experts in the relevant field and “was more keen on holding anti-drug campaigns”.
“They should be inclusive and rope in the relevant NGOs as strategic partners. The more heads, the better. The government cannot do this alone. We need qualified and far-sighted leadership on this matter. If we have been doing the same things for the past 50 years unsuccessfully, it is time to start doing it differently.” he told The Star.
Jaafar was asked to comment on what needed to change in the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, which the Home Ministry is currently amending to regulate how drug addicts will be treated in the future.
The Home Ministry has sent amendments to the Act to the parliamentary select committees for health and security for fine-tuning.
This came after the amendments were criticised by drug reform activists about the wide powers given to the AADK.
Under the new changes, AADK officers will be given powers to determine if a person is drug- or substance-dependent, and the treatment they must undergo.
Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam, who runs a chain of private rehabilitation centres, echoed Jaafar’s views, adding that AADK could benefit from working with NGOs as many of them are recovering addicts who are passionate about helping others.
The private sector also has many trained and experienced substance abuse experts who are willing to help, he added.
“Partner up with the community. We have offered our expertise for free numerous times but we never heard back from them,” said Dr Prem Kumar, a counselling psychologist.
He also reiterated the view that AADK should be moved from under the Home Ministry to the Health Ministry, which has the proper mindset and expertise to treat substance abuse.
This is necessary given how substance abuse is present in all levels of society and professions as opposed to the old perception that it only affects low-income and lowly educated individuals.
“Drug addiction has hit people of all walks of life and crept into all layers of society. Hence, we cannot simply throw doctors or other professionals into jail for their addiction because we need them. Two-thirds of those in jail are being held for drug use,” Dr Prem Kumar added.
Selangor Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation deputy chairman deputy chairman Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan said it is time to take a new approach.
“With changing times, new approaches are required to tackle the issue. Decriminalising drug use is a daring move, but it does not mean the authorities are washing their hands altogether and moving away from their responsibility.
“In fact, it is more challenging to manage drug rehabilitation,” said the former Penang police chief and criminologist.
