PUTRAJAYA: Drug addicts who are determined to quit narcotics will not face legal action if they voluntarily report to the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) for rehabilitation, says its Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
In addition to treating drug addicts at over 50 rehabilitation centres, AADK also offers various programs to assist drug users in overcoming their addiction within the community.
Ruslin said AADK had treated 86,195 drug addicts this year.
"We urge drug users to come forward to give up their habit. Their families should also alert us so that we can assist in rehabilitating them. We will evaluate their condition and the extent of their addiction before deciding if they should be treated within the community, at our rehab centre or a private rehab centre. They are free to come to any AADK office or centre. They will be treated as a patient with an illness and not a criminal, "he said.
Ruslin said although amendments to the Drug Dependent (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, which decriminalises drug addiction and treats it as a health disorder, is expected to come into force early next year, drug users who voluntarily come forward now will not face any action and will be assisted by AADK.
He said with the new amendments, drug users who volunteer for rehabilitation will not be registered as a drug offender, enabling them to turn a new leaf and start their lives on a clean slate.
AADK recorded 169,691 drug users in the country between January and September of this year.
Ruslin said over 70% of them were users of synthetic drugs such as syabu, eramin, ketamine, ecstasy and yaba pills.
He said Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah recorded the highest number of drug users.
Ruslin said almost 96% of drug users were men, and Malays made up 76% of the total number of addicts.
He said a majority of addicts were aged between 25 and 40.
He said records also show that 33% of the drug users were unemployed.
He also urged the public to provide information or tip-off AADK of drug users they may know or in their neighbourhood.
Ruslin assured the identity of those who shared such information would be confidential.
Those who with information are urged to call AADK's 24 hour hotline at 1-800-22-2235 or WhatsApp at 019 – 626 2233.
