Govt allocates Rm230mil for drug-testing equipment

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will allocate Rm230mil to the Health Ministry to upgrade drug- testing equipment in laboratories, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said it was high time that drug-testing laboratories were upgraded with new technology.

He said currently, there are 14 such labs nationwide.

Ahmad Zahid, however, noted that the majority of drug-testing equipment is antiquated and has been in use for more than 20 years.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the importance of upgrading drug-testing equipment.

“This is about the law, especially since the content of the drugs needs to be verified through tests before any court action is taken.

“The Health Ministry will prepare a Cabinet paper for the replacement of the new lab (equipment) using the latest technology to test drugs.

“The technology will come from different countries that have tested many types of drugs.

“It is high time we upgrade ours,” Ahmad Zahid told a press conference after chairing the first Cabinet committee meeting on combating drug symptoms in Bukit Aman yesterday.

At the same time, Ahmad Zahid said the meeting also discussed adopting a new communication approach in drug prevention and rehabilitation in the country.

He said instead of using the old conventional approach, the government has decided to adopt a new “modus operandi” given the increase in drug addiction cases in Malaysia.

“Changes need to be made because the number of drug addicts is increasing, which means the demand (for drugs) is also high.

“The new method will look into targeted groups and other approaches,” he added.

In September last year, it was reported that drug addiction cases increased by 27% within the first six months of 2023, compared with 93,534 cases reported in the same period in 2022.