How will drug law shift addicts from prisons to rehab?

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Amendments to Drug Law Will Shift Addicts from Prisons to Rehabilitation Centres

The Home Ministry is set to amend the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, renaming it the Drug and Substance Abuse Act. This legislative change aims to facilitate the transfer of drug addicts from correctional facilities to rehabilitation centres operated by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). This initiative is anticipated to alleviate overcrowding within the nation's prisons, which currently house individuals convicted of drug-related offences.
Legislative Revision and New Legislation

The proposed amendment will transform the existing Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 into the Drug and Substance Abuse Act. This rebranding signifies a shift in focus, moving towards a more rehabilitative approach for individuals with drug dependency issues. The ministry is currently finalising the intricate details of this new legislation.
Objectives for Prison Decongestion

A primary objective behind this legislative overhaul is to reduce the significant congestion observed in Malaysian prisons. By redirecting drug addicts to AADK rehabilitation centres, the government aims to free up space within the prison system, which is currently burdened by the incarceration of drug offenders. This move is seen as a more constructive approach to dealing with drug dependency.
Tabling of the Amendment

The revised legislation, the Drug and Substance Abuse Act, is slated to be presented before Parliament in the near future. The Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said, confirmed that the ministry is actively working on the finer points of the law. This commitment was conveyed during a recent session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Response to Parliamentary Inquiry

This policy direction was articulated by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said in direct response to a question posed by Nurul Izzah Anwar. Anwar had inquired about the government's strategy to ensure drug addicts receive rehabilitation rather than imprisonment, specifically mentioning Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centres (CCRC) for more effective treatment.

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How will drug law shift addicts from prisons to rehab?

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