TAKING STRONG STEPS TO CURB THE WAVE OF ECSTASY

Ecstasy pills have become more prevalent since this designer drug was
first detected in Malaysia a few years ago. WONG LI ZA finds out the
reason for this and what is being done by the authorities to curtail
the problem

IT was first detected in the country four years ago and was said to be
more popular with the middle-aged crowd.

It was also not classified as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous
Drugs Act 1952.

Now, the usage of the stimulant and hallucinatory drug Ecstasy, also
known as the "head-shaking" pill, has caused much concern among the
authorities.

"When it was first discovered here in 1996, it was only (found) in
small numbers and the government enforcement agencies treated it as
part and parcel of traditional drugs," said Deputy Home Minister Datuk
Chor Chee Heung.

"Then the problem compounded from 1996 to 1998, and the Government
began to take drastic action, including classifying Ecstasy as a
dangerous drug under the Act, which carries the death penalty for
traffickers caught possessing 50gm and above," he said.

Led by the National Narcotics Agency, authorities are going all out to
conduct raids on more than 80 entertainment outlets suspected to be
involved in the supply and trafficking of this designer drug.

A psychotropic pill, Ecstasy, which is listed under Section 2 of the
Poisons Ordinance 1952, can damage the brain, liver, heart and also
cause death if consumed in excessive amounts.

Ecstasy, classified under amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), is
believed to have originated from the United States and brought in to
Malaysia via neighbouring countries.

Its scientific name is Methylenedioxy Metamphetamine (MDMA) but it is
also known by various other names, like Playboy, Pink Lady, Horse,
Bird and Apple. Each pill is priced about RM50 to RM200.

According to the National Narcotics Agency, 9,231 Ecstasy pills were
seized by enforcement agencies in 1998. Last year, 55,975 pills were
seized--a drastic six-fold increase.

In 1997, 66 people were arrested and charged under the Dangerous Drugs
Act for possession of Ecstasy. The figure increased to 312 in 1999.

Chor said that the usage of Ecstasy was more common among the Chinese
and widespread among teenagers to those in their 20s and 30s.

He admitted that the pills were easily available in entertainment
outlets. In fact, this mildly psychedelic pill is believed to be
obtainable in certain schools.

Chor said that in addition to raids at entertainment outlets,
stringent checks will be carried out at the border to prevent the drug
from being brought in.

"We want to take a multi-pronged approach to tackle this problem," he
said.

"The police should hasten investigations on who are the main figures
bringing in the pills and whether syndicates are involved in the
manufacturing of the pills locally."

He said that more stringent checks and investigations will have to be
carried out by enforcement authorities at ports and airports and their
warehouses.

"Ecstasy pills can be easily smuggled into the country because they
are like any other ordinary pill and can be hidden in shampoo bottles,
for instance," said Chor, adding that at the moment, there are six
centres in the country which conduct tests for the usage of Ecstasy in
a person.