KUALA LUMPUR: Synthetic drugs or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) pose a serious threat to society, says the country's top cop.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said these drugs, also known as designer drugs, are difficult to identify using conventional methods, putting a strain on police and health resources.
NPS refers to substances that mimic the effects of drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine.
These chemically-produced drugs are often mixed with other substances and sold in liquid or powder form.
Razarudin said the police's forensic unit and the Chemical Department have several methods for identifying NPS, but this is time-consuming.
Complicating matters is that the chemists working for the syndicates are constantly innovating their methods, making identification more challenging.
He said drug syndicates prefer to produce and sell NPS as the costs of doing so are low and distribution is easier.
"The emergence of these new drugs is burdening the authorities in terms of monitoring and identification.
"It also takes a toll on medical personnel and first responders in giving emergency treatment to those who suffer substance poisoning from new stimulants."
Razarudin said designer drugs are deadly as many do not realise the drugs are more potent than opiates and can lead to death from overdose.
He added the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found some designer drugs were up to 100 times more potent than cannabis.
Razarudin also said some synthetic cannabinoids sold in powder form could be mixed with vape liquids, leading to users experiencing palpitations, high blood pressure, and even epilepsy.
Last year, NPS were listed in the Dangerous Drugs Act and Poisons Act.