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Syed Saddiq Says Focus On Treating Drug Addicts Instead Of Punishing Them

Syed Saddiq Says Focus On Treating Drug Addicts Instead Of Punishing Them

According to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the drug issues that plague Malaysia is not just a matter of addiction.

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Understanding the circumstances behind drug addiction is not as simple as ABC.

According to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the drug issues that plague Malaysia are not just a matter of addiction.

We should consider changing the strategy from punishing to treating. It’s about time we change our thinking.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

Portugal decriminalized the public and private use, acquisition, and possession of all drugs in 2000; adopting an approach focused on public health rather than public-order priorities.

Syed Saddiq argued that Portugal recorded a 70% decrease in drug cases when the strategy was used.

Instead of punishing those who are caught using soft drugs, we should instead allow experts and doctors to treat their addiction so that the recovery process happens at a better rate.

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

The viral TikTok video posted by the young MP garnered mixed reactions from netizens.

Many were skeptical of Syed Saddiq’s suggestions.

Twitter user @richard24003609 asked Syed Saddiq to provide more references as this suggestion seemed doubtful.

Meanwhile, Twitter user @yourfavkanda flat out disgareed with Syed Saddiq’s suggestions.

On the other hand, many others applauded the suggestions provided, agreeing that addiction is a disease that should be treated.

Twitter user @rnyjmsss said:

Drugs are one of the coping mechanisms for those who struggle with their mental health. Treat them from the root cause. Penagih (Drug user) = Pesakit. (Patient).

@rnyjmsss on Twitter

Another Twitter user @Kristian_Kho said:

The proper way to deal with drug issues is to punish the supplier instead of the addict; but we all know there is presently no concrete plan to tackle the massive illegal drug manufacture / distribution industry in the country. Is Malaysia even capable of fighting the drug gangs?

@Kristian_Kho on Twitter

Also agreeing with Syed Saddiq is former dean of the medical faculty at the University of Malaya Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, who said:

It is time that we relook our approach to drug use and work towards policies that are based on scientific evidence, public health, security, human rights and leaving no one behind. My colleagues and I here in Malaysia and at the @globalcdp are ready to support you and all MPs to work towards policies that can truly help individuals, their families and society at large.

Former dean of the medical faculty at the University of Malaya Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman

What are your opinions on this issue? Should reform be given more focus than punishment?


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