KUALA LUMPUR – Increased powers proposed for the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) should be given to medical officers instead, MPs said today when debating amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Parliamentarians questioned the Home Ministry over pushing this proposal, saying doctors would be more qualified to evaluate drug users.
R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) said there were various provisions in the bill that would require changes, such as Section 6 whereby a proposed amendment would require a drug abuser to appear before a magistrate who would then make orders following recommendations by AADK’s rehabilitation officers.
“I want to recommend that this power to give recommendations is afforded to medical professionals instead.
“Doctors have the right qualifications to determine if someone is addicted or not. Because not everyone who uses drugs is addicted.
“In fact, I am aware that there are professionals such as engineers, lawyers and doctors who are not addicts but may occasionally use drugs,” Rayer told the Dewan Rakyat during the debate on the amendments which were tabled for second reading.
Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (Langkawi-PN) criticised the Home Ministry for rushing the bill and for failing to consult other stakeholders, including relevant non-governmental organisations.
The opposition lawmaker, who has done outreach work with drug addicts, said there were over 100 NGOs involved in helping youths overcome substance abuse and they had the necessary expertise to deal with such individuals.
Suhaimi also took issue with Section 18 of the bill, whereby the government will not allow the operation of private rehabilitation centres without approval from the Home Ministry.
According to the bill, any person or organisation who operates a rehabilitation centre without a licence will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500,000.
“When these NGOs don’t register, will they be fined RM500,000? How will they be able to register if they can’t fulfil the ministry’s criteria?” Suhaimi asked.
The amendments, which seek to take a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach on drug abusers, will also fall short because of AADK’s facilities, he added.
“If your children fall victim to drugs, these NGOs are the centres that can help AADK with rehabilitation.
“Because I have seen AADK centres, I know they are filthy and overcrowded,” Suhaimi said.
Earlier today, AADK released a media statement to assert that the amendments to the legislation were “client friendly”.
The agency said the new law would also result in faster treatment and rehabilitation, especially for those who came in for treatment on a volunteer basis.
“The new law gives access to a wide variety of clients, especially drug abusers, given that they would receive treatment early before it gets out of hand.
“Besides that, the amendments also would not dismiss the role of medical officers and other relevant agencies who are involved in the rehabilitation of addicts.
“Thus, this move is in line with the government’s commitment to transition addicts from imprisonment to rehabilitation,” the statement said.
Debate on the amendment bill continues in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow. – July 3, 2024
