Drug decriminalization – Is This What We Need?
I refer to the recent statement by the Youth and Sports Minister that the government plans to set up a committee to hasten legal amendments that would decriminalize drug addiction and I read it with a big exclamation mark. I must say this is a very bold and brave move in a country like Malaysia which lies in a sea of poorly reinforced drug regulation from neighbouring countries. A central feature of drug decriminalization lies in harm reduction which support the use of fines or other punishments to replace imprisonment. Proponents of drug decriminalization often propose systems whereby illegal drug users who are caught would be fined, but would not receive a permanent criminal record as a result. Only those caught drug trafficking, manufacturing or possessing a large number of drugs will be prosecuted by the law. This effort distinguishes between ‘drugs for personal use’ and handling drugs illegally at a larger scale. At a very superficial level, does it ...