KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is planning to deploy saliva test kits at roadblocks nationwide to detect motorists under the influence of synthetic drug-laced vape liquids marketed as "Piu Piu" and "Magic Mushroom".
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the move comes amid growing concerns over road accidents linked to motorists possibly being impaired by synthetic drugs consumed through e-cigarettes or vapes.
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He said some motorists were unknowingly becoming intoxicated while driving after inhaling the synthetic substances.
" 'Piu Piu' and 'Magic Mushroom' are not the names of specific drugs. They are commercial terms used to market synthetic liquid drugs (used in) vape devices," he told a press conference at the city police headquarters here on Friday (June 26).
Comm Hussein said police believe several road accidents in the country were caused by motorists under the influence of these synthetic substances.
He warned that the drugs, easily obtained online, at entertainment outlets and through drug distribution networks, could leave users in an intoxicated state that severely impairs their judgment.
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"If this issue is not addressed immediately, we cannot rule out the possibility of an increase in accidents caused by drug-impaired driving, putting more lives at risk," he said.
Hussein urged the government to take stronger measures against vape products to help authorities curb the abuse of synthetic drugs.
He added that the NCID had also appealed to the government to approve funding for the test kits, with the aim of deploying them at roadblocks by the end of the year.
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The police are also working closely with the Health Ministry and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to tackle the growing problem.
Earlier, Comm Hussein expressed concern over the rising abuse of synthetic drugs sold under the above brand names, noting that the substances had also been detected among secondary school students.
"We recorded 108 cases involving 138 arrests nationwide last year for offences related to synthetic drug-laced vape liquids.
"As of June 10 this year, the figures had risen sharply to 168 cases and 267 arrests," he added.
