CYBERJAYA: There is a need to expand the scientific- and evidence-based treatment for drug addiction as there are only 12 addiction specialists to treat more than 60,000 drug addicts.
An expert said one specialist was needed for every 20 addicts — that would mean Malaysia was in need of 3,000 specialists to ensure an efficient drug rehabilitation programme.
While the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) states that its success rate in treating addicts stands at 60 per cent, its former deputy director-general provides an overall view that sees a larger percentage of relapses.
The recognised body for the accreditation of addiction specialists is the Drug Advisory Programme, under the Sri Lanka-based Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific (Colombo Plan), which had accredited the 12 Malaysian specialists engaged by Nada.
Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) professor of psychology Datuk Dr Mahmood Nazar Mohamed, a former Nada deputy director-general, said the need for addiction specialists in the country was critical.
He said from the statistics gathered since Nada’s establishment in 1983, more than 400,000 addicts had been treated, but average success rates had hovered around 20 to 30 per cent annually.
“This is because, in general, local treatments are based mainly on traditional or spiritual methods, with the use of herbal remedies and religious approaches,” he said.
To help the situation, CUCMS has introduced a Colombo Plan-recognised post-graduate diploma course in addiction science.
“Drug addiction is classified as a disease, and it is a relapsing one.”
Dr Mahmood said relapses must be tackled with science- and evidence-based treatments that engaged biological and psychological aspects, including medication and counselling.
Nada operations deputy director-general Izhar Abu Talib agrees with the need for more addiction specialists.
“We have 53,000 addicts undergoing community-based treatment, where they are free but have to adhere to strict conditions set by us. Some 7,000 are in our rehabilitation centres,” said Izhar.
Nada ran government-funded drug rehabilitation and treatment centres, Izhar said, adding that its programmes had been improved with a holistic approach encompassing biological, spiritual, social, psychological and community-based treatments, with an improved success rate of 60 per cent.
Dr Mahmood said the problem of drug addiction might be wider than what was visible to the public eye, with a rising number of addicts living normal lives as professionals and students, and a dangerously hidden dependence on substance.
He said the number of drug addiction cases involving the abuse of pharmaceuticals such as pain-killers, and household products such as glue, as well as petrol, was on the rise.
“The treatment centres need to engage addiction specialists. They are mainly run by non-governmental organisations,” said Dr Mahmood.