He said this does not mean that Malaysia is legalising drugs.

“Decriminalisation is the removal of criminal penalties for possessing and using a small quantity of drugs for personal use, as opposed to those who are involved in trafficking of drugs.

“Trafficking of drugs will undoubtedly remain a crime.”

The minister said drug use and addiction is admittedly a complex chronic relapsing medical condition.

“There are many factors that lead someone to drug use and addiction. There may be a genetic predisposition, the surrounding environment such as poverty, a family breakdown, school and peer pressure.

“All these can make someone to start using drugs.

“If someone continues to take drugs, biological changes start happening in their brain. Therefore it is not so easy to reverse that biological change.”

Dzulkefly said putting these addicts in prison is not going to change that.

“It is not just a matter of someone having weak will power.”

He said drug decriminalisation will indeed be a critical next step towards achieving a rational drug policy that puts science and public health before punishment and incarceration.

“An addict shall be treated as a patient (not as a criminal), whose addiction is a disease we will like to cure.

“Decades of evidence has clearly demonstrated that decriminalisation is a sensible path forward that would reap vast human and fiscal benefits, while protecting families and communities.”

He said more than 30 countries have embarked on this agenda of decriminalisation.

He said research has shown that decriminalisation:
• Does not increase drug use;
• Does not increase drug related crimes;
• Reduces the costs in the criminal justice system; and,
• Improves social outcomes.