Delayed Poison Registry Updates Hamper Synthetic Drug Probes - Saifuddin Nasution

JOHOR BAHRU, June 13 (Bernama) --  Authorities and regulators face a growing challenge to fast-track the scheduling of synthetic drug chemicals under the Poisons Act 1952, a move critical to ensuring unimpeded legal action.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said swift action was critical, warning that delays in gazetting the substances would severely hamper police investigations.

"When a police investigation traces a case back to synthetic drugs, the matter is referred to the Chemistry Department. If toxic elements are identified but happen to be missing from the poisons registry, it severely complicates any subsequent legal proceedings," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after attending the Aspirasi Bebas Dadah Tour, organised by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Puteri Wangsa today.

He was responding to comments by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, who argued that the emergence of a new synthetic drug known as "Piu Piu," which was found laced in e-cigarette liquids, justifies a total ban on vapes.

Ayob Khan said this was because the drug contains a mixture of Fentanyl and psychoactive chemicals, which can trigger a severe, zombie-like high in users.

Saifuddin Nasution said the issue of classifying toxic substances has already been brought to the Cabinet for discussion to find a permanent solution.

In response, the Home Ministry is stepping up coordination with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Chemistry Department to ensure more effective law enforcement against new synthetic drug syndicates.

He further revealed that national drug data mapping identifies the country's East Coast as the hardest-hit area for synthetic drug use, with the trend starting in Kelantan and Terengganu before moving into Pahang.

He noted that while the West Coast still records the use of mixed substances such as marijuana and heroin, the East Coast is now dominated by synthetic drugs, which have a far more devastating and alarming impact.

He said the country has recorded alarming statistics in domestic security, with a total of 192,000 individuals confirmed to be involved in drug and substance abuse nationwide, according to an integrated data profile combining records from the MOH, private rehabilitation centres, AADK rehab clinics, and the police narcotics division.

Based on the overall data, the national average now stands at 560 drug abusers per 100,000 residents, with consumption trends heavily dominated by dangerous synthetic drugs.

Commenting on the situation in Johor, he said the state recorded an average of 499 people involved in drug abuse per 100,000 residents.

Although the state average sits below the national benchmark, he said Mersing recorded concerning figures, reaching the highest rate in Johor at 1,200 individuals per 100,000 residents, followed by Pontian, Kota Tinggi, and Segamat.

He said there are currently 30 drug rehabilitation centres nationwide managed by AADK, which currently house 5,000 clients.

-- BERNAMA