SEPANG: The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) will begin deploying new synthetic drug detection kits nationwide from June, including for fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids increasingly detected in vape liquids, as authorities move to curb a growing drug threat in Malaysia.
AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the detection kits had been distributed to all the agency’s offices nationwide and would be used by enforcement personnel during field operations.
“We will begin conducting tests using the (synthetic drug) test kit, especially for fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids. Beginning in June, we will conduct operations and test individuals using the device,” he told reporters after attending AADK’s Aidiladha appreciation of noble values and Qurban ritual programme here yesterday.
He said AADK is now facing a new challenge involving synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, which are more dangerous than traditional drugs like cannabis and heroin, Bernama reported.
He said the test kit is capable of detecting fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids and cocaine used in vape liquids.
Prior to this, Ruslin was reported as saying that the rate of synthetic drug addiction in Malaysia had reached an alarming level, contributing to 70% of the total number of drug addicts nationwide.
According to him, the development is in line with the latest threat trend, in which syndicates have been detected mixing the prohibited substances into electronic cigarette or vape liquids.
Commenting on AADK arrests, Ruslin said the number of individuals detained for drug abuse had reached 15,000 during the first five months of this year.
He added that based on public complaints, as well as intelligence and other sources, the number of arrests could reach 40,000 this year, and the agency had established a drone unit to further facilitate its operations.
Previously, the police also revealed that fentanyl has been discovered being mixed into vape liquids.
Fentanyl is also popularly known as the “zombie drug” due to its adverse effects on users.
In a crackdown last month, the police said some 400 fentanyl-laced vape cartridges were among an array of drugs seized.
The total haul was valued at over RM30mil, in an operation codenamed “Ops Hemiptera”.
Experts have also issued repeated warnings that fentanyl is among the most dangerous substances found in vape liquids and carries a very high risk of death even at extremely small or microgram levels.
They warned about the extremely high addiction risks associated with the substance.
They also cautioned that Malaysia needs a comprehensive and balanced national strategy that protects public safety while recognising addiction as a complex health and social issue.
