DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT TO GET MORE BITE

UNDER an amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act, those arrested on suspicion
of drug taking can be fined up to RM10,000 and jailed up to four years if
they fail to provide a urine sample for testing.

Another amendment will allow police officers above the rank of sergeant or
Customs officers to require an arrested person to provide a urine sample if
it is not possible for a medical officer to do so within a reasonable period.

According to the explanatory notes on the proposed amendments, "the
procurement of the urine specimen by a police officer or a Customs officer
under this provision is solely for the purpose of preservation of evidence."

The amendments are expected to be debated during the current Parliament
meeting.

One new feature in the amendments states that if any dangerous drug is
found in the urine of a person, he is presumed to have consumed the drug or
administered the drug himself, unless the contrary is proved.

Another new amendment stipulates that those found in possession of 50gm or
more of any combination of dangerous drugs will be presumed to be trafficking.

One new section will introduce stiffer penalties for those found guilty of
certain offences if they have prior admissions to a rehabilitation centre
or previous convictions related to drug offences.

For example, a person who is convicted of a subsequent offence can be
punished with a jail term of between seven and 13 years. He can also be
given at least three strokes of the rotan but not more than six.

This increased penalty is aimed at dealing with hardcore addicts and
deterring repeat offenders and to protect the public from drug-related crimes.