Drug Addicts Offered Rehab Over Jail Time

Under its new Drug and Substance Abuse Act, the Malaysian government vows to offer rehabilitation and treatment programs to drug abusers and addicts instead of prison sentences in an effort to eradicate the stigma around substance users.

“It will facilitate their reintegration into the community and give them a second chance,” says home minister Hamzah Zainudin. The National Anti-Drugs Agency’s director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon chimes in. “Among the programmes implemented is Drug-Free Youth Solidarity which provides a platform for teenagers and youths across the country to express their stance in refusing to be involved in drug abuse.”

Malaysia is determined to meet the target of Control of Drugs 2025. Despite the many challenges and problems related to drug abuse, the government will continue to intensify its efforts to get parties and shareholders alike involved, to remind them of the proactive role they have to play to protect the population against dangerous drugs.