Home ministry to set up single body to tackle drug problem holistically

A single coordinating body to tackle the drug problem is expected to be set up next year.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a working paper was now being prepared on the matter.

He said this single coordinating body would comprise agencies under the Home Ministry like the National Anti-Drugs Agency and police Narcotics CID, as well as the Customs Department, Health Ministry and non-governmental organisations involved in drug abuse-prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

"The setting up of such a body like the ones in a number of countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and the United States is necessary to coordinate and facilitate drug prevention efforts from its roots."

Ahmad Zahid was speaking at a news conference after closing the annual assembly of the Malaysia Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), here, Monday.

Elaborating, he said the presence of the Narcotics CID in the sole coordinating body did not mean that the department would no longer be part of the Royal Malaysian Police contingent.

In combating drug trafficking and addiction in this country, he said a Special Delta Squad had been formed to tackle serious narcotic cases and 200 police personnel with a good performance record were being selected for the squad.

"They will be given further training in and outside the country," he said.

Since the squad was set up in August this year, it successfully busted two big drug syndicates in this country with RM30 million worth of drugs seized in the nationwide operations, he added.