MCPF Proposes Puspen Be Gazetted As Special Prisons For Drug Addicts

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

KOTA TINGGI, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has proposed that narcotics addiction rehabilitation centres (PUSPEN) be gazetted as special prisons for drug addicts to strengthen rehabilitation and treatment efforts.

MCPF Drug-Related Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali said the move would not only help curb drug addiction but also ease overcrowding in prisons, where about 70 per cent of inmates are drug offenders.

He said hardcore addicts, in particular, should be placed in rehabilitation centres that prioritised treatment and recovery, rather than in prisons, which are primarily correctional in nature.

Kamarudin said PUSPEN, under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), had facilities spread across the country, with an estimated total capacity of over 25,000.

“PUSPEN’s facilities are more specialised and complete. Although prisons also provide treatment (for drug addicts), they are more correctional (in nature), focusing on crime prevention rather than addiction recovery,” he told Bernama today.

He said this after an interview at the Bernama Mobile Studio on the topic “Jerat Halusinasi: Antara Penjara dan Jalan Pemulihan” at Felda Bukit Waha, conducted in conjunction with the FELDA: Desaku Mendunia “Generasi Sihat Komuniti Hebat” Programme jointly organised by NADA and MCPF.

In this regard, Kamarudin proposed that PUSPEN be turned into a special prison for drug addicts, as it already had the facilities and manpower to support rehabilitation efforts.

He said the move would allow the government to continue with sentencing while implementing rehabilitation without having to build a new prison.

“I’ve found that there are still many spaces at PUSPEN, as addicts arrested by the police are sent to prison.

“Under Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act, they are given two strokes of the cane because they are hardcore addicts. So I thought, why not place them in PUSPEN, which can accommodate up to 25,000 people (inmates),” he said.

PUSPEN not only serves as a drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre, but also provides character development and self-skills training to help inmates reintegrate into society.

It offers programmes that emphasise discipline, counselling, psychosocial care and ongoing support to minimise the risk of relapse.

–BERNAMA