KUALA LUMPUR – Former deputy law minister Ramkarpal Singh has urged the Home Ministry to review sections under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to facilitate the Health Ministry’s treatment-based rehabilitative approach for drug addicts.
Ramkarpal, who is also DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP, noted nearly a third of the nation’s total prison population is behind bars due to offences outlined in the act, according to 2023 statistics.
“As of September last year, the number of prisoners in all prisons nationwide amounted to 75,379, exceeding the maximum capacity of 69,816,” he said in a statement today.
“A total of 23,523 of these (prisoners) are serving sentences for drug use and addiction under Sections 12(2), 15(1)(a), and 39C of the act.
“Given the high numbers of drug use and addiction-related prisoners languishing in prison, the Home Ministry should conduct a thorough study as to whether punitive methods in dealing with the problem are effective.”
Noting that 7,889 prisoners were recorded to be either in remand or convicted for being repeat offenders under Section 39C of the act, Ramkarpal said that it would be prudent for the government to review the mentioned sections to cater for a more treatment-based rehabilitative approach.
“Incarcerating drug users and addicts will not overcome or reduce the problem of drug use and addiction.
“It is high time that the government adopts policies with long-term goals of rehabilitating these offenders who can contribute to the nation’s development as well as reducing the number of prison inmates to within the maximum capacity of our prisons.”
He also said that efforts by groups such as the non-governmental organisation Persatuan Pengasih to treat drug users and addicts should be commended and encouraged.
In August last year, the then health minister, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said that the ministry is aiming to address drug addiction through treatment and rehabilitation instead of the current method, which is more focused on enforcement and imprisonment.
Characterising drug addiction as a type of “chronic disease” that needs to be dealt with more effectively, Zaliha said that a punishment-based approach will merely cause drug users and addicts to be trapped in the legal process. – March 9, 2024