drug addiction Archives

7 November 2025

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Harm Reduction ‘Stuck In Heroin Era’ As ATS Use Rises, Panel Warns

An addiction expert says Malaysia’s harm reduction is still focused on heroin, even though amphetamine-type stimulants are now the main drug used. Psychosocial treatment for ATS is not recognised, hidden groups are missed, and OSCA clinics lack trained staff.

6 November 2025

Malaysia

Urine Test Can’t Determine Drug Addiction, Says Expert

An addiction expert says urine tests can't determine drug addiction. Prof Vicknasingam also questions fixed thresholds in DDA, noting that someone who has used drugs longer will consume more because they become tolerant. Addiction isn't a fixed formula.

11 July 2024

World

The Free, Over-The-Counter Drug That Prevents Opioid Deaths

This drug to prevent opioid deaths is free, and available without a prescription across Australia. So why has uptake of naloxone been slow?

10 July 2024

World

Where Is Australia’s Drug-Fighting Money Going?

Australia's drug budget heavily focuses on law enforcement over harm reduction and prevention, underscoring the need for more balanced, effective spending.

8 July 2024

Letter

Enhancing The Drug Dependants Bill For A Holistic Approach — Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam

Counselling psychologist Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam says assigning AADK, which lacks expertise, more responsibilities under the drug dependants bill may not be effective, while there are insufficient experts/ doctors in MOH to support methadone distribution.

5 July 2024

Malaysia

Drug Dependants Bill Overdoses On MPs’ Bipartisan Criticisms

After an overdose of criticisms from MPs on both sides of the divide, particularly on AADK’s capacity to diagnose and treat drug addiction, it’s unclear if the drug dependants bill will be passed next week or sent to rehab in a Parliament select committee.

4 July 2024

Letter

Halt Drug Dependants Amendment Bill Pending Stakeholder Engagements — Malaysian Medical Association

The Malaysian Medical Association urges the government to halt the Drug Dependants amendment bill pending stakeholder engagements and to send the bill to a parliament committee instead. MMA says it wasn’t consulted on the bill, which is being debated now.

3 July 2024

Malaysia

‘Punitive’ Drug Dependants Bill Isn’t ‘Decriminalisation’, Experts Demand Dangerous Drugs Act Amendment

Prof Adeeba and other drug policy experts say the punitive and unscientific Drug Dependants amendment bill doesn’t actually decriminalise drug use. Policy seems contradictory, as there aren’t correlating amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act.

3 July 2024

Malaysia

New Bill Empowers AADK To Arrest, Treat, Rehabilitate Drug Users

The Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024 authorises AADK officers to apprehend, treat, and rehabilitate "drug dependants or misusers". Experts oppose mandatory rehab and question whether AADK can diagnose drug dependency.

13 May 2024

Malaysia

Adeeba Opposes Proposed Mandatory Drug Rehab, Only 10% To 20% Of People Who Use Drugs Get Addicted

Prof Adeeba says proposed mandatory rehab in the Drug Dependants amendment bill will negatively affect majority of people who use drugs either experimentally or recreationally, as scientific evidence shows only 10%-20% of people who use drugs get addicted.

Tag: drug addiction

Malaysia’s Harm Reduction ‘Stuck In Heroin Era’ As ATS Use Rises, Panel Warns

Urine Test Can’t Determine Drug Addiction, Says Expert

The Free, Over-The-Counter Drug That Prevents Opioid Deaths

Where Is Australia’s Drug-Fighting Money Going?

Enhancing The Drug Dependants Bill For A Holistic Approach — Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam

Drug Dependants Bill Overdoses On MPs’ Bipartisan Criticisms

Halt Drug Dependants Amendment Bill Pending Stakeholder Engagements — Malaysian Medical Association

‘Punitive’ Drug Dependants Bill Isn’t ‘Decriminalisation’, Experts Demand Dangerous Drugs Act Amendment

New Bill Empowers AADK To Arrest, Treat, Rehabilitate Drug Users

Adeeba Opposes Proposed Mandatory Drug Rehab, Only 10% To 20% Of People Who Use Drugs Get Addicted

‘Zero Pending’, Zero Safety, Zero HCWs: The Burning Crisis At Queen Elizabeth Hospital — Health Worker

Nationalism Can Curb Doctor Brain Drain, Says KPPA

Malaysia Faces Emerging Shortage Of Dialysers, Haemodialysis Components

UMMC Denies Radiation Exposure Caused Staff Cancer ‘Cluster’

Fifty Years Of Negotiations Across The Table For The Betterment Of Doctors’ Rice Bowl — Dr Sng Kim Hock