Efforts to address Malaysia’s drug abuse problem require a balanced approach combining firm enforcement with treatment and rehabilitation based on humanitarian values.
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to address the country’s drug abuse problem must be implemented through a balanced approach that combines firm enforcement with effective preventive measures, alongside treatment and rehabilitation based on humanitarian values and compassion.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli said that while Islam clearly prohibits drug abuse because of the harm it causes to individuals, families and society, those struggling with addiction should not be continuously punished or negatively labelled.
“That is why it is important for us to look at other people’s ‘pages’ so that we can understand the realities and suffering of those battling drug dependency, especially if we ourselves have not been tested by such challenges.
“We need a balanced solution based on the concept of wasatiyyah (moderation), one that is neither excessively punitive nor overly lenient,” she said when officiating the National Recovery Convention (KKK) 2.0 here today.
She also shared a personal insight gained after listening to the testimony of a former drug addict who attended the event.
“I listened to the sharing of a participant who battled drug addiction for 15 years, to the extent that he did not perform prayers, fast during Ramadan or even care about Hari Raya celebrations. That shows how devastating the effects of drugs can be. If we only view matters from our own perspective, we will never attain true compassion in engaging with society,” she said.
At the event, Marhamah also launched a policy paper titled ‘Towards a Drug Policy Based on Rahmah and Maqasid Syariah: The Need for Drug Policy Reform in Malaysia’.
The policy paper was published through a collaboration between Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM), the Drug Policy Programme Malaysia (DPPM) under the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF), the Malaysia Substance Abuse Council (MASAC), and various strategic partners.
Key recommendations highlighted in the paper include diversion mechanisms from the criminal justice system to treatment systems, restorative justice approaches, spiritual development programmes, and an integrated inter-agency referral system.
Marhamah said the proposed policy reforms are not intended to normalise or legalise drug use, but rather represent a sincere effort to guide those who wish to return to the right path.
She said the launch of the policy paper does not mean that the government accepts or will implement all the recommendations presented. Instead, it serves as a scholarly contribution worthy of collective consideration to strengthen approaches in dealing more effectively with increasingly sophisticated and difficult-to-detect drug challenges in the modern era.
Marhamah also expressed appreciation to the National Anti-Drugs Agency, Royal Malaysia Police, the Health Ministry, the Prisons Department and the Education Ministry for their significant roles over the years.