The 11th Forum on Crime and Policing in Malaysia next month will provide an in-depth platform for experts to critically examine current drug policies, address escalating drug abuse issues, and explore potential reforms.
Organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research in collaboration with the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (Penang), Drug Policy Programme Malaysia, and the Penang state government, the event will be held in George Town on Sept 11.
With the theme ‘Contemporary Issues and Challenges on Drug Use in Malaysia’, the forum will focus on formulating actionable strategies for reforming existing policies to address the evolving nature of drug-related issues.
The forum will feature a distinguished panel of experts, including those specialising in drug addiction treatment, law enforcement, criminology and public health. They will assess the effectiveness of current drug policies, identify challenges in implementation, and propose possible reforms.
Organising chairman Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said the event would also provide an invaluable opportunity to foster collaborative efforts to rethink and reform Malaysia’s drug policies.
“We aim to shape the future direction of drug use and policy in Malaysia, ensuring reforms are well-grounded, practical and effective in reducing drug-related harm during the forum’s discussions,” said Sundramoorthy, a renowned criminologist.
“We want to propose concrete recommendations for revising and improving current drug policies, strengthening law enforcement measures, and enhancing public awareness campaigns that effectively prevent drug abuse and improve rehabilitation efforts.”
He said the event would also gather experts, stakeholders and the public to deliberate on the challenges and contemporary concerns surrounding drug use, trafficking and rehabilitation in the country.
One of the key objectives is to ensure diverse perspectives, especially those of marginalised communities, are included in shaping the future of drug policy reforms in Malaysia.
Sundramoorthy said the event would serve as a crucial step towards addressing the multifaceted challenges of drug abuse, crime and public health, ultimately working towards a safer and healthier society for all.
Keynote speakers are Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, Director of the Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Dr Vicknasingam B. Kasinather, Professor of Addiction at the Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Vicknasingam is also part of the World Health Organisation’s Expert Advisory Panel on Drug Dependence and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Panellists include Palani Narayanan from the Drug Prevention Policy Programme Malaysia, Dr Rohana Ariffin, co-founder of the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang, Datuk Seri Abdul Rafique Karim, immediate past president of Majlis Dato’ Dato’ Negeri Pulau Pinang, and Dr Nor Hazlin Talib from the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialist Association.
The event will also be attended by Penang State Executive Councillor for Housing and Environment, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo.
Twentytwo13 is the official media partner for the event.
