KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must urgently intensify its fight against drug abuse, particularly the growing threat posed by synthetic drugs, or risk losing another generation to addiction, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
Describing the issue as a national crisis, the Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the increasing use of synthetic drugs had transformed the country’s drug landscape, making the problem more dangerous and difficult to contain despite decades of enforcement, rehabilitation programmes and public awareness campaigns.
“The persistent and growing problem of drug abuse in Malaysia is a matter of utmost seriousness and warrants national concern.
“We must ask ourselves an uncomfortable but necessary question: Are we fighting a losing battle against drug abuse?” he said when contacted on Saturday (July 25).
Lee said synthetic drugs were often cheaper, more potent and easier to manufacture than traditional narcotics, while their chemical compositions could be modified to evade existing laws and detection by enforcement authorities.
He warned that such substances could trigger severe psychological disorders, hallucinations, violent behaviour and permanent brain damage.
“The sight of individuals wandering the streets in a confused, disoriented or aggressive state due to drug abuse is deeply disturbing.
“Every ‘zombie’ we see on our streets is a reminder that someone has fallen through the cracks of our prevention, treatment and enforcement systems,” he said.
Lee stressed that drug abuse should no longer be viewed solely as a law enforcement issue, but as a public health, social, educational and national security challenge requiring a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
While enforcement remained critical, he said authorities could not “arrest their way out” of the problem and urged greater attention to underlying factors such as mental health issues, peer pressure, family breakdown, unemployment, social isolation and the influence of organised crime syndicates.
He proposed declaring synthetic drug abuse a national priority, strengthening intelligence-led operations against trafficking syndicates, enhancing border security and disrupting online drug sales.
He also called for stronger drug prevention programmes in schools, colleges and universities, expanded mental health services for young people, greater support for parents to identify early warning signs of drug abuse, and improved community-based rehabilitation and aftercare services to reduce relapse rates.
Lee said technology should also be harnessed to track emerging drug trends, detect online trafficking networks and provide digital platforms for prevention, counselling and reporting.
In addition, he urged greater youth participation through peer-led initiatives, youth ambassador programmes and community volunteer efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and resilience.
“Drug abuse is not just destroying lives. It is weakening families, undermining communities and threatening the nation’s future workforce and productivity.
“If we fail to act decisively today, we risk creating a generation trapped in addiction, with far-reaching consequences for public safety, healthcare and economic development,” he said.
Lee added that the responsibility for tackling drug abuse should not rest solely with the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the police, but should involve government agencies, educational institutions, employers, religious organisations, community leaders, civil society groups, parents and young people.
“Malaysia has overcome many national challenges through unity and collective action. We must now demonstrate the same determination in confronting the menace of synthetic drugs.
“The cost of complacency is simply too high,” he said.