Synthetic Drugs Targeted At Entertainment Industry

PETALING JAYA: Local drug syndicates are targeting the entertainment industry as it is an attractive market particularly for synthetic drugs.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said as synthetic drugs, which usually come in the form of pills, are difficult to detect, it thus make it easier for the syndicates to sell it.

“We do conduct random checks, but the challenge today is that these synthetic drugs can be flushed out from the body within two days, thus making enforcement tougher.

“Nevertheless, the ministry had decided to let the police to focus on their efforts on drugs trafficking and supply issues, while Nada has been has been entrusted to do the enforcement of drug users.

“(And) Nada is beefing up its capability so that they can have more effective enforcement force to focus on high susceptibility areas like the entertainment industry,” he said.

He was speaking after a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and National Anti- Drug Agency (Nada), in championing a Drug Free Workplace.

Jazlan was asked if there is the need to conduct drug test on artistes following the recurrence of drug abuse cases among them.

Present at the event were MAG chairman Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, MAG chief executive officer Izham Ismail and National Anti- Drug Agency (Nada) director-general Datuk Dr Abd Halim Mohd Hussin.

Asked whether candidates who will be fielded in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14) will undergo drug test, Jazlan said there was no need for it.

“We have face enough scrutiny, do not put us into making drug test a compulsory.

“I do not see the need to test the candidates for drug abuse.

“The people will decide every five years, so do not worry,” he said.

On the MoU it will see MAG working together with Nada in providing the group with necessary expertise, manpower and technical requirement in conducting awareness programmes including random drug tests on MAG employees.

MAG also will be enhancing the visibility of its zero tolerance policy via displays on LED screens at suitable locations in all the group’s premises throughout Malaysia.

Izham said the group is committed to upkeep the highest standards of safety throughout the organisation.

“It is a concern to the airlines and we take drug and alcohol matter seriously. Even before our synergy with Nada, we had done screenings many years ago.

“This applies across all our subsidiaries- Malaysia Airlines, MABkargo, MASwings, MAB Academy, Firefly and Aerodarat.

“This year, MAG further affirms its commitment commitment against these serious offences by implementing the Zero Tolerance Policy on the consumption, possession, distribution or selling of drugs and alcohol by any individual at the workplace.

“Moving forward, we have also not only remove the employee from the system but also will report to the police, so that they can come to see whether there are drugs in on the ground at our location; including hangar and workplace.”-NST