MMA urges govt to reform drug rehabilitation after addict's brutal death
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for reforms in the government’s approach to drug rehabilitation, starting with a recognition that drug addiction is a mental illness or medical condition which requires professional intervention.
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said drug addicts should be treated as patients to be cured rather than criminals to be punished.
“A drug rehabilitation centre should be...
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for reforms in the government’s approach to drug rehabilitation, starting with a recognition that drug addiction is a mental illness or medical condition which requires professional intervention.
MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said drug addicts should be treated as patients to be cured rather than criminals to be punished.
“A drug rehabilitation centre should be a place where people who struggle with drug addiction go to receive professional help to overcome their habit.
“Drug addicts should be treated as patients, not criminals,” he said in a statement.
“Substance use disorder is a mental illness that needs to be treated by trained professionals with evidence-based rehabilitation programmes, counselling and in some cases, the prescribed use of certain medications.
“There is also the concern that the old ‘cold turkey’ methods of locking up addicts for a period of time in the hope they will be rehabilitated are still being used,” he added.
Koh said studies have shown that such outdated methods have not produced successful outcomes and resulted in many addicts returning to their old habits after being released.
MMA’s statement yesterday was issued in response to the reported death of a 31-year-old resident at a rehabilitation facility in Kubang Pasu, Kedah, earlier this month due to injuries allegedly sustained at the hands of a warden.
The 46-year-old warden, who has been arrested, allegedly stepped on the victim’s neck and kicked his chest, after placing him in an isolation cell following an attempted escape from the facility around 3am on Nov 4.
'Wardens lack training'
Koh said apart from a full investigation on the reported incident, the government must look into reforms needed in managing the issue of drug addiction in the country.
“We are concerned that while rehabilitation centres may be overseen or managed by qualified professionals, the wardens who are carrying out these rehabilitation programmes may lack the professional training, qualifications and qualities required,” he added.
Citing media reports, Koh said the incident in Kedah should never happen at a rehabilitation centre.
The victim, who was admitted in April for alleged marijuana addiction, had only made it about 1km away from the facility before he was found by the warden, according to Kedah police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat.
As part of overall reforms on Malaysia’s drug laws, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in a written parliamentary reply said products containing cannabis used for medicinal purposes can be imported and used in the country if the product is in compliance with the requirements of the law.
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