KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 (Bernama) -- “Drugs have destroyed many lives, but wrongheaded governmental policies have destroyed many more. I think it's obvious that after 40 years of war on drugs, it has not worked. There should be decriminalization of drugs.” - Kofi Annan

Malaysia is about to embark on a significant game-changer policy of Decriminalisation of Drug Addicts & Addiction.

This is not to be mistaken for legalising drug and l again categorically emphasise that decriminalising does NOT mean that we are legalising drugs.

So what is decriminalisation of drug addicts and addiction?

Decriminalisation is the removal of criminal penalties for possessing and using a small quantity of drugs for personal use, as opposed to those who are involved in trafficking of drugs. Trafficking of drugs will undoubtedly remain a crime.

Be that as it may, drug use and addiction is admittedly a complex chronic relapsing medical condition.

There are many factors that lead someone to drug use and addiction - there may be a genetic predisposition, the surrounding environment such as poverty, family breakdown, school and peer pressure can all make someone to start using drugs.

If someone continues to take drugs, biological changes start happening in their brain. Therefore it is not  so easy to reverse that biological change.

Certainly putting them in prison is not going to change that. It is not just a matter of someone having a weak will power.
 
Drug decriminalisation will indeed be a critical next step towards achieving a rational drug policy that puts science and public health before punishment and incarceration. An addict shall be treated as a patient (not as a criminal), whose addiction is a disease we will like to cure.

Decades of evidence has clearly demonstrated that decriminalisation is a sensible path forward that would reap vast human and fiscal benefits, while protecting families and communities.

More than 30 countries have embarked on this agenda of decriminalisation and research has shown that decriminalisation:

• Does not increase drug use
• Does not increase drug related crimes
• Reduces the costs in the criminal justice system
• Improves social outcomes

This is an important journey that we are about to undertake and we must tread on it with care and tact.
 
DATUK SERI DR DZULKEFLY AHMAD
MINISTER OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
27th June, 2019

SOURCE : MINISTER OF HEALTH

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name : BAHARUDIN BIN MOHAMAD
Pegawai Perhubungan Awam
Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
Tel : 03-88834536 / 017-2635008

--BERNAMA