PAS: Drug addiction is a crime, not medical problem

PUCHONG: PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the government should not decriminalise drug abuse and its possession in small quantities.
In a statement, Tuan Ibrahim said decriminalising drug abuse could lead to addiction and habitual dependency on the substance.
“In Islam, things that are harmful to the brain should be prevented and rejected. Drug addiction can damage the brain and weaken the body.
“Therefore, I feel that taking drugs should be made illegal and continue to be treated as a crime.
“Opening up the opportunity to possession and drug use in small quantities will lead to addiction,” he said.
Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the government would amend the law that would result in treating drug abuse cases as medical problem instead of a crime.
He said this would reduce the need for punitive action, which has been proven to be ineffective in tackling drug abuse among the society.
“Putting drug addicts in prison is not going to change that. It is not just a matter of someone having weak willpower.
“An addict shall be treated as a patient, whose addiction is a disease we would like to cure,” Dzulkefly was reported saying.