MALACCA: The number of addicts using synthetic or party drugs is on the rise due to the easy availability of such drugs on the streets, says the state National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
AADK director Dayang Siti Rohani Sedan said another reason was that the addicts erroneously believed that the punishment for consuming synthetic drugs was lighter than when caught with opiates, such as heroin.
Dayang Siti, who was just appointed to the post, said the physical effects on those who took synthetic drugs were harder to detect.
Opiate users leave behind injection marks on their bodies.
“Studies by AADK found that synthetic drug dependents find it harder to kick the habit compared to those who abuse opiates,” she said at the close of a seminar for the AADK women’s squad here.
Dayang Siti said although the effects on those abusing synthetic drugs could not be easily detected, the drugs badly affected the nervous system.
“And, they suffer heightened aggressive behaviour and sometimes go berserk,” she said.
She also said that while methadone replacement programmes for opiate abusers had been effective, it was harder for synthetic drug dependents to quit as they could suffer brain damage.
In a related development, she said 1,915 drug addicts in Malacca were being monitored by the agency now.
“Most of them are youths and 69 of them are women,” Dayang Siti said.
“They have been placed at the 1Malaysia Cure and Care clinics in Alor Gajah and Tampin,” she added. “Some of them are also being cared for at their homes.”
Dayang Siti said the state AADK also provided support to three Caring Community Centres in Padang Temu, Limbongan and Bukit Gedong here that were managed by community leaders.
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