KUALA LUMPUR – Following reports of a brutal attack against a resident at a drug rehabilitation centre in Kedah, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has questioned the outdated methods to combat drug addiction at these facilities.
The victim who attempted to escape the centre was alleged to have been beaten up by a warden, resulting in the resident’s death.
Given that drug abuse is a mental illness which requires professional help following medical evidence, MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai said such an incident should have never occurred, and called for government intervention to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“A drug rehabilitation centre should be a place where people who struggle with drug addictions go to receive professional help to overcome their habit.
“Drug addicts should be treated as patients, not criminals,” Dr Koh said in a statement.
He said although these facilities are managed by qualified professionals, wardens who carry out the necessary programmes may lack the training and qualifications required.
Additionally, he expressed concerns over the use of outdated rehabilitation techniques to cure residents.
Dr Koh noted the “cold turkey” method, whereby addicts are locked up for a period of time, which he says has yet to produce any successful outcomes.
This, Dr Koh said, can result in addicts returning to their old habits upon release.
“Apart from a full investigation on the said incident that should be carried out, the government needs to look into the reforms needed in managing the issue of drug addiction in the country.
“We must first and foremost recognise that drug addiction is a mental illness or medical condition requiring medical intervention from professional, trained experts in this area of medical practice,” Dr Koh added. – The Vibes, November 13, 2021
