KUALA LUMPUR – It is better for amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to be slightly delayed rather than risk Putrajaya pushing through with legislation that could potentially do more harm than good, said a healthcare expert.
According to addiction and mental health treatment expert Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam, the Home Ministry’s decision to refer the proposed amendments to two parliamentary special select committees (PSSCs) is a step in the right direction towards a comprehensive policy.
“Postponing or delaying (the amendments) is better than pushing something that has not been fine-tuned yet. It is most definitely a good move by the government, but we have to get it right this time,” Prem said when contacted by Scoop.
“It has taken us over 40 years to come this far, where we’re tabling amendments to the law. We can’t afford to allow amendments that have falsities and wait another 40 years to present more amendments.”
The founder and chief executive officer of Solace Asia, a rehabilitation centre dedicated to the holistic treatment of addiction, also stressed that the increased power afforded to the National Anti-Drug Agency through the amendments is a regressive step.
“We can amend the law, but giving it to the same people who were unable to implement it properly in the first place will not change anything. It will be like doing the same thing, but expecting different results.”
Additionally, Prem, who is also a licensed psychologist and psychotherapist, urged for the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to be referred to the PSSCs to ensure streamlined regulations.
MPs had previously raised concern over how the proposed amendments could see the anti-drug agency wielding more power, asserting that medical officers would be more qualified to evaluate drug users.
Meanwhile, former anti-drug agency director-general Datuk Abd Halim Mohd Hussin expressed his hope that the PSSCs on health and security will be able to present their findings by this year.
“How long the PSSCs will normally take to deliberate (on the proposed amendments) really depends on the chairpersons. It could drag on for up to six months, but I hope that it can be done within three months.
“The public, professionals, and others concerned about this issue can put pressure on the PSSCs to speed up their processes of evaluating and reviewing the amendments so that the bill will not be delayed for long,” he told Scoop.
In proposing that the amendments be referred to the PSSCs, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday that it is only fair for the ministry to give weight to recommendations put forth by MPs throughout debates on the bill.
Prior to the proposal, Saifuddin attempted to address various issues with the bill raised by other lawmakers, particularly about provisions that would clash with the existing Dangerous Drugs Act.
The minister said the government intends to maintain sections in the Dangerous Drugs Act criminalising self-administration, possession and trafficking, adding that the Attorney-General’s Chambers assured that the new bill would work “in parallel” with existing laws.
He also explained that the spirit behind the proposed amendments to the Drug Dependents Act was merely to reflect the government’s intention to view drug addicts and substance abusers as patients, as opposed to criminals. – July 12, 2024
