Drug addicts to be removed from criminals registry

 

PARLIAMENT | The 12th Malaysian Plan (12MP) has outlined various reforms on how the government will handle drug offences.

This includes the government's approach in dealing with drug addicts who are not involved in any other crime.

“Relevant provisions in the law will be amended to de-list drug addicts who are not involved in crime from the register of criminal and undesirable persons.

“This is to provide them a second chance in life for employment opportunities,” according to the 12MP document tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The definition of drugs will also be expanded to new psychoactive substances (NPS) and ketum.

“Drug-related laws will be reviewed to expand the definition of drugs and substances to cover NPS and ketum," read the full 12MP report that spans 532 pages.

NPS refers to a range of drugs that have been designed to mimic established illicit drugs.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob tabled the 12MP in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today.

The report also said an index to measure drug-related issues will also be introduced for “better decision-making” in combatting drug abuse and trafficking.

Plan to improve detention centres 

Aside from that, the 12MP also addressed prison reforms, with a holistic plan to be developed to improve detention centres and rehabilitation and correctional programmes.

“Prisons will be upgraded to provide a more conducive environment and adequate space for rehabilitation programmes,” it said.

Drug offenders under Section 15 of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 will be segregated from other inmates within the prison.

Section 15 deals with those who self-administered dangerous drugs as specified in the act.

Meanwhile, alternatives to imprisonment will be expanded through the implementation of more probation and community correctional programmes, such as compulsory attendance orders, deferred sentences, day parole, home detention and so on.

The 12MP report also said current healthcare charges will be reviewed so that higher-income patients will be required to pay higher charges.

Subsidies for healthcare services will be streamlined based on whether the patients are eligible for government aid or not.

As part of enhancing the country’s healthcare system, a national immunisation registry will also be established and the immunisation programme will be expanded to include children in private schools, older people, Orang Asli and underserved communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

A national suicide registry will also be established so that effective measures can be taken in addressing the rising suicide rate.

In order to encourage healthier living, the scope of the sugar tax will also be expanded to include premix drink products.

A drinking water quality legislation will also be introduced, along with amending the Food Hygiene Regulation 2009, to reduce the incidences of foodborne diseases. - Mkini