Malaysia's stand on drug use is still hard, says Nur Jazlan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's stand on drug use is still hard while most western countries are taking the easy way out to reduce the "statistics of drug addicts" in their respective countries by decriminalising soft drugs.
Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed told the Dewan Rakyat that the government will not comprise where drugs are concerned and thus the number of drug users are still recorded high in Malaysia.
“Most of the western countries have given up combating the drug issue, while the Malaysian government has a strong policy where drugs are concerned," he said, adding that this is the reason why Malaysia still records high number of drug users.
Whereas in the western countries, he added, they have taken an easy way by decriminalising soft drugs such as marijuana and this led to a reduce in their drug usage statistics.
Currently, he said, the South Americans and the Europeans are championing their agenda at international level where they want these soft drugs to be decriminalised.
Nur Jazlan said when responding to Datuk Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (BN-Kulim Bandar Baru) who sought an update on the number of drug users in the country and the arrest made between 2015 to 2016.
According to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), he said there were 26,668 drug users recorded in 2015 and the number increased to 30,840 in September 2016.
“We do not agree with the policy’s of the West because according to a study, drug addiction should be avoided all the time. Even if its started as soft drugs, studies have shown that eventually the user will become addicted and they will eventually opt for drugs with a heavier effect,” Nur Jazlan said.
He added the government practised dual policy to combat drugs - safety and health point of view.
In Malaysia, he said, there is zero tolerance in combating drugs, although the dual policy.
He also disclosed that the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will draw up a strategic plan for the National Drugs Policy (NDP) to address drug related issues in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
He said the Cabinet on March 10 agreed that the NDP be the source of reference and main guide to combat the scourge at all levels of implementation nationwide.