‘Address drugs problem to curb crime’

KUCHING: More than 60 per cent of crimes of opportunity in the country, including snatch thefts and house breaks-in, are committed by drug abusers, Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.

Lee said based on figures compiled by MCPF, he would not be surprised if violent crimes were also committed by offenders under the influence of drugs.

These figures, Lee said, illustrated the importance of addressing drug trafficking and abuse.

“There is no place in the country that we can assume to be free from drugs.

“The situation has become alarming, with more and more young people, even children as young as 7, becoming drug pushers and abusers.

“It has become challenging for the government and the authorities, which had launched the war against drugs since the 1980s, following the emergence of designer drugs, psychotropic pills, as well as sweets laced with narcotics to entice the young.”

He said MCPF proposed that current laws be reviewed to curb drug-related cases.

Apart from stepping up anti-drug campaigns in schools by non-governmental organisations and the authorities, Lee said, employers should conduct periodic compulsory drug screening on their employees.

“Employers should consider periodic drugs screening, especially if the industry they work in is risky and could affect the lives of others.

“For example, there are reports that many bus drivers in West Malaysia who were involved in accidents had tested positive for drugs.”

He said figures by the National Anti-Drug Agency showed that the number of addicts in the country was on the rise, with 23,642 drug abusers recorded in 2014 compared with 20,887 in 2013 and 15,101 in 2012.