Appoint reformed drug addict as senator, deputy minister - NGO

A reformed drug addict should be appointed senator and then be made a deputy minister to bring the drug scourge message to the "highest level", mooted the Malaysian Substance Abuse Council (Masac).

The NGO's secretary-general, Raja Azizan Suhaimi, likened the concept to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hiring hackers to work for the agency.

"This should be done under a department involved in efforts to combat the drug menace nationwide via prevention, rehabilitation, and advocacy activities.

"The director-general of this department should be a reformed drug addict, who can then be appointed as a senator and a deputy minister (drug administration) to bring the message about the dangers of drugs to the highest level.

"A reformed drug addict serving as a deputy minister can 'bring the voice' of drug users to those who matter," he said in a statement today.

Experience matters

Raja Azizan pointed out that a reformed drug addict would have first-hand experience and more information than those who have never dabbled in drugs.

The person's "expertise" can also be used to detect and trace other drug users and drug labs, before the authorities are roped in.

Earlier this month, Masac suggested removing the criminal records of former drug traffickers who have been free of the substance for five consecutive years to enable them to get a second shot at life.

NGO: Clear ex-drug offenders' criminal records to give them second shot at life

Aussie authorities seized 336kg of heroin smuggled from M'sia - police

Cops identify sender of 'cannabis toothpaste' to PM, minister

Anti-Drugs Agency clarifies the number of disabled drug addicts