Drug Addiction In Malaysia
What is the law governing drugs offences in malaysia the possession of drugs is seen as a serious offence in malaysia.
Drug addiction in malaysia. Illicit substance use and drug relapse is an issue that continues to plague societies worldwide. From draconian measures of punishment such as the mandatory death sentencing of drug dealers to compassionate care of addicts by the community at large. A total of 131 841 drug addicts have been registered in malaysia between january 2010 and february this year said the home ministry. Whilst the per head data refers to only once detected within six 6 years period.
Other groups of people who seem to be caught up in drug use are social workers workers in health care and other high stress industries. Malaysia s government plans to drop criminal penalties for the possession and use of drugs in small quantities to battle addiction but stressed the move is not akin to legalizing narcotics. It is governed by the dangerous drugs act 1952 that regulates the import export manufacture sale and use of opium dangerous drugs and related materials. The drug culture associated with youth culture more generally has taken over in malaysia and with this there has been a rise in drug addiction among malaysia s youth and spikes in drug overdoses.
Stemming the tide of addiction has been an uncontrollable phenomenon for all those involved. The number of registered drug users is about 250 000 in a 2008 report and is expected to reach half a million by 2015. New case newly detected drug addicts to receive treatment rehabilitation supervision with nada. There is also a worrying trend of high relapse rate of 50 which has been consistently.
Malaysia s government has announced plans to remove criminal penalties for the possession and use of drugs in small quantity to battle addiction but stressed the move is not akin to legalizing drugs. Kuala lumpur malaysia s health minister dzulkefly ahmad has pledged to decriminalise drug addiction and drug possession for personal use in a move he calls a game changer policy. Back in the 1990s the malaysian government opened detention centers across the country for drug addicts. Drug abuse is a complex issue and has been a serious public health problem in malaysia.
What is the punishment like for one who is caught under the dangerous drugs act 1952.