KUALA LUMPUR – The inclusion of ketum in amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, which was recently passed in Parliament, might lead to further complications in the drug abuse scene, a research expert warns.
According to Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Drug Research Centre senior lecturer Darshan Singh Mahinder, the listing of ketum in the bill is “unwarranted” as consumption of the mitragynine alkaloid in the plant does not lead to serious addiction problems.
“While ketum is reported to carry some addiction-causing liabilities, studies have scientifically shown that addiction or dependence does not evolve into a serious problem impacting social functioning,” he tells Scoop.
“It is anticipated that the listing of ketum in the bill will further aggravate the drug abuse scene and affect many who have been relying on the herbal drug for its therapeutic value.
“At present, Thailand has legalised ketum, while Indonesia is contemplating legalising its export. However, it appears that our policymakers have poor or insufficient knowledge about the beneficial use of ketum among drug users,” he laments.
Asserting that ketum contains medicinal benefits and a plethora of therapeutic properties, Darshan says drug users have greatly benefited from ketum use as the plant is used as a way to “abstain from illicit drugs”.
“Ketum promotes self-treatment and is used as a safe substitute for illicit drugs. It also prevents drug users from engaging in risky injections and sexual behaviours while under the influence of drugs, thus mitigating HIV infections,” he says.
“As a ketum researcher, I don’t see ketum being abused as a narcotic, nor does it have a more profound effect than more harmful drugs like opiates, methamphetamine or cannabis.”
Stressing that it is “absolutely unnecessary” to treat ketum addicts in mandatory rehabilitation centres, Dr Darshan is also concerned over how treatment providers will distinguish between ketum addicts and misusers.
“It is categorically unethical to determine ketum addiction severity solely based on urine samples; if mitragynine values are significantly high, then a conclusion is drawn to suggest one suffers from ketum addiction, or vice versa.”
He also advises against amending the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to include mitragynine, which is currently listed as a psychotropic substance under the Third Schedule of the Poisons Act 1952.
“If this were to happen, then the drug abuse situation will become even more serious since ketum consumption in the traditional context is presently devoid of any serious health and social issues.”
The Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024, which was approved by the Dewan Rakyat on July 18 after being referred to two parliamentary special select committees, saw the inclusion of psychotropic substances specified under the Poisons Act and toluene.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had previously raised concerns about the bill, which Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said seeks to reflect the government’s intention to view drug addicts and substance abusers as patients, as opposed to criminals.
However, in his winding-up speech on the bill, Saifuddin told the lower House that the ministry had no intention to decriminalise offences relating to the possession of small amounts of drugs and the self-administration of narcotics, as enshrined in the Dangerous Drugs Act. – July 21, 2024