NCJ Number
143115
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 66 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1993) Pages: 191-196
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes Malaysia's strategy for countering the drug problem.
Abstract
Malaysia borders the Golden Triangle, which straddles Thailand, Burma, and Laos, where opiates originate. Because of its geographic location, Malaysia has become a prime target for drug traffickers. It was not until 1983 that the government realized that the drug situation was at a crisis level and that harsh measures were required. Capital punishment had been introduced for traffickers in 1975, but with the annual increase in addicts, it was obvious that the death penalty was not deterring the flow of drugs into the country. A new drug strategy was adopted which continues to the present. It involves an anti-drugs campaign that is costing Malaysian taxpayers $170 million (U.S.) a year. All drug laws were amended to give the authorities greater powers to arrest and detain and fill any loopholes that had been used in the past to evade punishment. The government also established a task force, which deals specifically with addicts and traffickers and coordinates all operations with the various drug agencies. Perhaps the most important component of the strategy is public education. This component includes a daily advertising campaign on the dangers of drug abuse and the harshness of sentences for drug traffickers. The advertising campaign has increased public participation in drug control, as citizens are providing more information on street-level drug dealing.