PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet Committee to Combat Drug Addiction (JKMD) has proposed creating legal provisions that supervise e-commerce platforms to curb the online sale and distribution of drugs, says Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The deputy prime minister, who chairs the committee, said that much stricter controls need to be imposed by amending the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to allow for heftier penalties to be imposed on drug dealers and drug possession.
Zahid said that the government will also act immediately to eliminate illegal “rat trail” smuggling routes and jetties in Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan.
“At the same time, I see that there is a need by the government to give serious attention towards strengthening the narcotics criminal investigation department.
“(This is) to ensure that it is capable of curbing drug distribution in a more effective and comprehensive (manner),” said Zahid in a statement released after chairing the second meeting of the committee for the year.
JKMD also suggested expanding access to treatment and rehabilitation by amending the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 and the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969.
This would allow the authorities to move drug addicts, held under the Dangerous Drugs Act, to treatment centres for rehabilitation. This will include ketum and glue addicts.
“These efforts would indirectly reduce the stigma and impact of imprisonment that drug and substance abusers go through now,” Zahid added.
The committee also suggested increasing the community’s awareness of the dangers of drug addiction through the creation of a strategic plan and comprehensive communications.
This strategic plan will increase the involvement of the community and NGOs in curbing drug abuse throughout the country, he said. - FMT
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