KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry hopes to table a bill to amend the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, including decriminalising drug addiction, in this parliamentary session.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the amendments have been given the green light by the cabinet and has also received clearance from the Attorney-General's Chambers.
"It has been registered and is waiting its turn to be tabled in this parliamentary session which ends on July 18.
"There was a briefing held in Parliament today to outline the clauses that are to be amended," he told reporters after opening the National Anti Drug Science Symposium.
He said the proposed amendments involved 29 clauses.
"Among the clauses to note include that drug addiction cases and substance abuse cases would no longer be viewed as addicts, but patients instead.
"Drug addiction shows symptoms while drug abuse is more on taking substances without a prescription so we are giving this a clear definition," he said, adding that while it may seem simple, it influences the approach as a whole in terms of rehabilitation and treatment which is operated by the National Anti Drugs Agency (Nada).
He said the second component involves decriminalising drug addiction.
"This is because we look at them as a group that needs to be approached with the treatment module.
"The third component is to recognise Nada rehabilitation officers as an important profession in identifying cases where drug addicts come of their own free will for treatment.
"With these amendments, if one goes to Nada voluntarily, the rehabilitation officer can conduct tests to verify the case and send them to a rehabilitation centre," he said, explaining that currently, such cases would have to be referred to a medical officer for verification.
Saifuddin said he felt that this was a huge step as it could speed up the verification process.
"Our belief is that Nada is 41 years old and its officers already have the expertise in their field.
"The impact of the amendments will also lead to such cases not ending up in individuals being prosecuted and jailed which will in turn decrease overcrowding in prisons," he said, adding that it would also result in savings for the government.