Nadia Ahmad Samdin on misuse of drugs and constitution amendment bills

Punitive measures to tackle the supply side of drugs must be supplemented with programmes and rehabilitation to tackle the demand fuelled by addiction, said MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 21), she noted the range of rehabilitation programmes that had been introduced over the years and urged the Government to continue with its rehabilitative approaches. In particular, these programmes need to take into account evolving research and the complex and evolving environmental circumstances of drug addicts to provide personalised support, she said. She wanted to know if the Government is looking to support and scale initiatives that have been able to offer more personal and cost-efficient support to drug addicts seeking to reintegrate with society. She also stressed the need to be proactive in helping those who have not yet fallen prey to drug addiction but are still at risk. She said taking a whole-of-society approach will effectively address both the supply and demand for illicit substances.