BANGI: There was a significant increase in the seizure of drugs and banned substances between January and June this year, as compared to the same period last year.
Home Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin said the ministry's records revealed a 35.4 per cent increase in total seizures for drugs such as ganja, methamphetamine, Ecstacy, Erimin 5 and ketum in the first six months of this year, as compared to the same period in 2019.
"Such an increase will therefore require continuous efforts of enforcement and prevention by the relevant authorities despite the obstacles and challenges faced because of the Covid-19 pandemic," he said in a speech which was read by Deputy Home II, Jonathan Yasin during the 2020 National Drug Addiction Science Symposium at the National Anti-Drugs Agency's (AADK) headquarters here today.
He said in 2019, there were significant increases in seizures of ketum, which increased by 84.1 per cent, Ecstacy (85.4 per cent), psychotropic pills, cocaine, ketamine and khat leaves which all recorded an increase of above 100 per cent.
He said the biggest cocaine seizure ever was recorded last year, involving 12 tonnes worth RM2.4 billion which was believed to have been in transit to another destination and country.
"Social isolation is an indirect effect of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), and will inadvertently increase the bad habit of drug addiction, especially among those who are going through rehabilitation.
"Therefore, I call on everyone, the AADK, NGOs and the rakyat to help out where possible while also adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the 'new normal'," said Hamzah.
Also present at the symposium were Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, public health specialist Dr Norli Abdul Jabbar from the Health Ministry and Police Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department deputy director, Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.
On a related matter, Hamzah reiterated that the country's fight against drugs also included the move to turn 155 high risk drug-related areas to become "green".
The other measures, he said, was to expand treatment and rehabilitation services for all abusers and drug addicts, improving the rehabilitation rate of clients, getting better involvement and cooperation from the community and to empower the ministry, relevant agencies and non-governmental organisation (NGOs) to integrate in order to address and overcome the drug menace.
"It is understood that the drug problem and issue cannot be resolved in the blink of an eye, as it needs a collective, continuous effort over time to realise the country's goal of zero drugs that was set from 2009-2015 in line with the Drug-Free Asean 2015 declaration," he said.
He noted that while the country has achieved significant results, he admitted that the challenge in eradicating such a problem is getting tougher and more complicated following a change in trends and the types of different drugs available on the global market.
"I must stress the issue of drug abuse and addiction is a problem for all of us and we must face it together. It must be handled by using a disciplined, comprehensive and integrated approach."
He revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a new challenge in the fight against drugs. But, he also revealed other effects.
He said research carried out by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions (EMCDDA) titled "Impact of Covid-19 Patterns of Drug Use and Drug-Related Harms in Europe" showed there was a decrease of as much as 46 per cent in drug abuse within the first three months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the factors for such a drop were the implementation of movement control and restrictions which greatly reduced the opportunity to obtain and use drugs, the closure of entertainment outlets, less access to drug dealers and supplies, loss of income and economic uncertainty.
Such a reduction is linked with the purpose of recreation where drugs such as Ecstasy and Cocaine are sought after.
Hamzah said there are new ways and techniques that have been identified as replacements for physical interactions and exchanges such as online streaming parties.
He said these platforms saw drugs being taken while chatting with friends and acquaintances online, which is one of the new forms of socialising and interaction.
Others include the increased use of ganja as a means to deal with boredom and grave concerns.
There has also been an increase in online searches involving words such as "buy cannabis", "seeds", "growing cannabis" and even "cannabis home delivery", he said.
He said it cannot be denied that the Covid-19 pandemic will have a long-term effect on the harmony and socio-economic aspects of society especially on those who are most vulnerable and at high risk.
Continued research, observations and monitoring on the impact of the pandemic on Malaysian society who fall prey to drugs must be implemented, he said.
"The government is very serious about addressing the drug distribution problem because it poses a serious threat to socio economic development and safety.
"One of the challenges faced in breaking the supply chain and distribution in the market is Malaysia's location which is close to the 'Golden Triangle' of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. To address this, continuous efforts are being carried out by the police to block and intercept the entry of drug supplies into the country," he pointed out.