MALAYSIA is following a global trend in the rise of the number of drug addicts, fuelled by the easy availability of drugs and legal new psychoactive substances used to create illegal narcotics.

The surge, said the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), has led to an increase in the number of addicts, from 15,101 in 2012 to 30,844 last year.

The problem is also not one of enforcement but of the authorities being outsmarted by dealers, AADK director-general Dr Abdul Halim Mohd Hussin told The Malaysian Insight.

For example, the new psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthesised into “new drugs”, such as synthetic cannabinoids, “downers” and hallucinogenic drugs, which mimic the effects of drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

“The trend of drugs has also changed from being opiate-based (heroin, morphine, marijuana) which are depressants to amphetamine-based (ecstasy, amphetamine, yaba pills), which are stimulants,” he said.

Hence, the rise in the use of NPS or drugs designed to replicate the effects of illegal substances. NPS were known as “legal highs” in the United Kingdom until the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 came into effect.

“Drug dealers today outsmart the authorities by introducing new NPS every day, which is not wrong from the legal perspective,” Dr Halim said.

It is impossible to ban the use of NPS because some of the chemical substances are legally used for medical and industrial purposes.

“So, we can’t ban all NPS, we need to understand what is the drug, it is not as easy as simply listing them out.

“Most of the substances in NPS are legal, so the dealers buy these substances and mix them here in the country and that’s when the drug becomes illegal.”

While the Malaysian authorities have been working round the clock to combat the spread of illegal drugs, the fight is hampered by global demand.

“These drugs stimulate your behaviour, emotional drive and cognitive patterns, and that is why you will find addicts who are violent,” said Dr Halim.

In 2012, AADK registered 725 amphetamine-based addicts but the number grew to 3,395 in 2016.

Users are also becoming younger because dealers are more aggressive.

A 25-year-old named Sarah (not her real name) from Selangor spends about RM100 to RM200 every month on the NPS Molly, a replacement for ecstasy.

“I take 4 Molly (pills) over the weekend if I had a rough week or had a tough time. My friends know that I take drugs but my parents don’t, three in 10 of my friends do drugs.”

Sarah said she usually pops the pills at home due to “safety reasons,” and that drug users only find out too late that addiction was not easy to quit.

“The first drug I ever consumed was marijuana in Australia. I get my pills here from friends of friends, who know dealers. It is hard to get these drugs if you don’t know someone who knows a dealer.

“The biggest misconception that drug users have is that it is easy to control. Most users don’t know what they are getting into.

“Drug abuse isn’t only about the chemical addiction but also the psychological need for chasing the next high,” she said

Another addict named Robin (not his real name) takes both marijuana and happy5, another NPS substitute for ecstasy, to “take the edge off”.

“These drugs calm my anxiety. I used to spend about RM300 to RM400 every three months, depending on the prices. For example, during festive occasions or when there are many drug raids, prices will go up. Now that I’ve started using ecstasy, my spending on drugs has gone up to RM300 per month,” said the 27-year-old investment banker.

Ironically, Robin first entered the drug world when he was talking to his friends about youth social problems in a park.

“It started when I was about 19. I took marijuana for the first time when we were in the park talking about youth social problems.

“My friends invited me over to try it,” he said.

He also said he doesn’t mind any long-term effects of drug use as long as he can control his addiction.

The number of addicts is also rising because of the high relapse rate. According to the agency, there is an average 37% chance of addicts relapsing after their one-year treatment.

In 2012, 4,800 addicts relapsed compared with 7,921 in 2016.

The number of new addicts also increased from 10,301 to 22,923 over the same period. The 2016 statistics include the number relapsing addicts.

“They have chronic relapsing disease… so, although they go for treatment and recover, the potential of falling back (into the habit) is there unless there is a strong aftercare,” Dr Halim said.

He added that this is why the government recently widened AADK’s rehabilitation scope to community rehabilitation programme (CRP) for addicts.

The one-year treatment will lengthened to two years, he said.

“If you find anyone with a drug addiction, please bring them in for treatment, don’t leave them like that. The programmes are there, we need the community to work together with us in the war on drugs,” he said. – November 23, 2017.