Cops team up with UKM in war on drugs
KUALA LUMPUR: The cooperation between the police and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) could strengthen the investigative capabilities of the Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) in the war against drugs.
Deputy Inspector-general of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said besides enhancing the knowledge of the drug busters, the cooperation would alleviate the use of laboratory facilities for studies on drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Yesterday, a Rm1.2mil fund was handed over to UKM to rent and purchase lab instruments.
“The fund will also be used to organise training on narcotic forensic skills for the police,” he told reporters at the cheque presentation ceremony here.
The event was also attended by UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman and Bukit Aman NCID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Kamarudin Md Din.
A memorandum of understanding on the collaboration between the NCID and UKM was inked on Oct 21, 2022.
Ayob Khan said eight officers – an assistant superintendent and seven inspectors – would undergo six long-term courses and two professional certificate courses to improve their investigation and operation skills.
He said under the collaboration, seven studies would also be conducted.
“There will be one to ascertain the chemicals used to produce drugs. This will enable police to work with the Health Ministry to formulate a new standard operating procedure, a new law or improve existing laws to control such chemicals.
“The research can also identify chemicals that influence a drug user to become violent.
“A recent study showed 60% of drug addicts are involved in violent and property crimes,” he said.
Ayob Khan said there would also be research on ascertaining the minimum drug dosage for a person to get addicted.
“With this, we can discover the right form of treatment and rehabilitation,” he added.
The other studies include determining the density of drug residue in sewage water, tracking the original form of drug molecule and building an NPS forensic hub that could be a reference for enforcement agencies in Malaysia and Asean.