SEEKING FREEDOM FROM DRUG SCOURGE

On Thursday, the country will celebrate the 43rd anniversary of its
independence.

Being independent from the clutches of foreign powers is, perhaps, one
of the most inestimable achievements of any country.

While we may be into our 5th decade of independence, we now come face
to face with challenges that threaten our free will.

Though we are no longer subjects of colonial powers, we cannot help
but notice the prevailing problem of drug abuse in our society, which
is menacing our mental independence.

The drug menace has been around for many years now. Malaysia has one
of the sternest laws on drug trafficking in the world today, that have
been criticised and viewed by certain quarters as being barbaric.

Despite all the legal provisions in curbing drug trafficking, the drug
threat still persists. Drug abuse is still rampant, with the number of
drug addicts on the increase.

The Government has spent millions of ringgit to tackle the problem, in
particular, in rehabilitating the addicts.

Yet, illegal drugs can still be found on the streets. Otherwise, the
number of addicts would not have increased.

While the problem of "conventional'' drug abuse is still very much
widespread, we have now come face to face with the problem of
Ecstasy--the drug abuse of the 21st century.

The recent highlighting of the Ecstasy threat has succeeded in
increasing awareness among the public of the danger of this drug.

The media have played a considerable and effective role in helping to
curb this problem.

The multilateral action taken by the police, the Road Transport
Department, Education Ministry, Health Ministry, political parties and
NGOs, is indeed praiseworthy.

The MCA which spearheaded the blitz on Ecstasy has taken the bull by
the horns. The problem is being tackled at its roots.

The targets are the suppliers of the drug and joints where the drug is
easily obtained.

Maybe the problem of conventional drug abuse should be handled the
same way.

So far, we have seen that the focus is on rehabilitating the
addicts.

No doubt, this is important, but statistics have shown that when
reformed addicts return to society, quite a considerable number of
them return to their old ways.

Why is this so? Many would probably attribute this to society's
unwillingness to accept reformed addicts.

Generally, employers are reluctant to employ former drug
addicts.

This stigma continues to haunt former addicts who would want to begin
life anew. As a result, some of them would, more often than not,
return to drugs.

The fact that former addicts return to their old habits and that the
number of addicts is on the increase only showsthat drugs are easily
available on the streets.

So far, the move by the authorities in curbing drug abuse seems to be
concentrating on taking the addicts off the streets and rehabilitating
them.

This, of course, needs to be done. But something more effective has to
be carried out and that is by taking drug dealers off the streets and
charging them under the provisions of our laws.

Perhaps it is worthwhile emulating the initiative taken by the MCA in
curbing the problem of Ecstasy among youths.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik has been quoted as saying
that 90% of the youths who are involved with Ecstasy abuse are Chinese.

Hence, it is only logical that the MCA takes this bold effort in
eradicating the problem from the Chinese community.

In the long run, it not only helps the Chinese, but it also helps the
other communities. Indeed, much can be learnt from this initiative.

On the other hand, the majority of those addicted to conventional
drugs, like heroin, are Malays (read: Muslims).

So far, it appears that efforts taken to curtail drug abuse among
Malay youths, in particular, have failed.

Whatever more that is required has to be done with serious, sincere
and concerted political will.

Tackling this problem is no light matter, and one should not adhere to
the Malay proverb: "Melepaskan batuk di tangga,'' meaning not serious
in doing things.

As such, a major crackdown on illegal drugs--heroin, cannabis, Ecstasy
or whatever they may be--must be undertaken.

This effort must be spearheaded by the relevant authorities, political
parties (representing the interest of their communities) and NGOs.

The focal point must be the dealers and suppliers and the areas and
locations where drugs are available.

Destroying the sources of the drugs would certainly help in minimising
the number of addicts.

The writer is of the opinion that political parties can exert the
necessary and much needed political will in tackling this societal
menace, as highlighted by the MCA in its efforts to fight the Ecstasy
menace.

If political parties can somehow shift their energies from domestic
bickering and political polemics towards co-operating in tackling
social ills, then the writer is sure many of these problems can indeed
be solved.

If the problems that hound the youths are not handled effectively,
what does the future hold for Malaysia?

What then is the meaning of independence when society is plagued with
problems like drug abuse?

For the sake of the sacrifices made by our forefathers in obtaining
independence and for the sake of future generations, let us all work
together in tackling the substance that subjugates the minds of the
people--drugs.

Merdeka!

Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen, Fellow, Ikim