Against a backdrop of rising drug-related incarceration and renewed global discourse on harm reduction, students of the Master of Public Health (MPH), Universiti Malaya, hosted a thought-provoking seminar titled “Decriminalisation of Drugs: The Evidence is Clear.”
Organised by Group 2, the seminar was part of the Global Health course (MQB7042) and featured leading voices in addiction care and policy, featuring Dr Nor Hazlin Talib, a family medicine specialist and member of the national taskforce on drug decriminalisation; Mr Ashwin Thind, clinical psychologist and addiction advocate; and Mr Palani Narayanan, director of the Drug Policy Reform Programme, Malaysian AIDS Foundation.
Opening the session, the students charted a historical overview that spanned from Nixon’s 1971 “War on Drugs” to colonial legacies in Malaysia, such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. The session explored how current laws disproportionately penalise minor, non-violent users. Malaysia spends over RM1.2 billion annually on incarceration for drug-related offences, an amount that could instead be reinvested in prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes.
The seminar’s second part clearly defined decriminalisation, depenalisation, diversion, and legalisation, but highlighted the need to simplify these concepts for Malaysian audiences and policy discourse. Emphasising that decriminalisation shifts drug use from criminal punishment to health-based intervention, without legalising it, in order to avoid public confusion and to support meaningful reform. Dr Nor Hazlin critically examined Section 15(1) of the DDA, which criminalises individuals for a positive urine test—even without physical possession. Many People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) continue to function, work, and contribute meaningfully to society. Their judgment is not inherently impaired, and they deserve access to care, not labels or criminal records.
Following that, the next part of the seminar acknowledged Malaysia’s gradual policy shift, which is supported by the Ministry of Health, AADK, and international bodies such as UNODC and WHO. This shift signals a growing commitment to a more compassionate, evidence-based approach, as demonstrated by the success of Methadone Maintenance Therapy and Needle and Syringe Programmes.
Mr Thind’s presentation served as a crucial bridge between clinical insight and lived experience, shifting the audience from abstract policy to the psychological realities of substance use. He introduced concepts like recovery capital and the continuum of care, arguing for voluntary, evidence-based treatment rather than compulsory rehab or imprisonment. Mr Thind’s session challenges us to view addiction not through the lens of morality or crime, but through human vulnerability and resilience. It invites practitioners and policymakers alike to embrace non-linear recovery models and to acknowledge that healing happens in community, not in isolation or incarceration.
The final segment of the seminar reframed drug use as a human rights and social justice issue, exposing how zero-tolerance drug policies, particularly those in Malaysia, function as structural tools of oppression. Drawing on international contrasts and WHO/UNAIDS guidance, the presentation powerfully argued for proportionate, rehabilitative responses over punitive ones, highlighting both the moral and economic urgency of reform.
Mr Palani Narayanan presented the Drug Use Prevention and Treatment Commission (DUPT) model, which offers an administrative alternative to the current punitive system. Inspired by Portugal’s success, decriminalisation would allow individuals caught with small quantities of drugs to be assessed and offered tailored interventions rather than criminal charges.
The proposed threshold model for decriminalisation is based on Sections 6, 12, and 15(1), as not all individuals found with small amounts are casual or dependent users, and not all dependent users pose a public threat. Reform efforts must account for personal function, harm potential, and readiness for treatment. He urged attendees to ask tough questions: Who benefits from our current drug laws? Why do we imprison the poor for possession but not confront the systems enabling trafficking?
The seminar concluded with an engaging forum session, where students raised critical questions regarding the implementation and societal dimensions of drug policy reform. In response to Ms Praise’s question about the involvement of religious authorities in shaping public attitudes, Mr Palani explained that in Malaysia, religious leaders, including state muftis such as the Mufti of Perlis, have begun to support harm reduction efforts, with the Mufti of Perlis himself serving as a policy advisor.
Addressing a concern from Dr Rathi on how to shift deeply ingrained fear-based narratives surrounding drugs among children, Mr Palani emphasised the importance of open communication: acknowledging that drugs exist, affirming their risks, and assuring children that they can speak to their parents without fear if ever confronted with substance use. Dr Azam raised the challenge of continuity of care post-incarceration, to which Dr Hazlin noted that collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs has resulted in transitional programmes for those released from prison. However, she acknowledged ongoing gaps, particularly during remand detention, where detainees are often deprived of essential treatments such as methadone and antiretroviral therapy (HAART), highlighting a critical area for policy and service improvement.
In a world increasingly focused on punitive control, Malaysia has an opportunity to take a bold, health-centred path that is rooted in our own values of compassion and justice. This seminar provided a compelling platform for students to engage critically with the evolving discourse on drug decriminalisation. The insights shared by experts helped bridge theoretical understanding with real-world application, allowing participants to reflect on the complexities of addiction, public policy, and structural reform. Decriminalisation is not about condoning drug use. It is about recognising what works and what does not. Feedback from attendees highlighted the session’s clarity, depth, and relevance, with many noting how much they had learned within a short span of time. As future public health leaders, the students of Group 2 hope this seminar was more than academic. We hope it was a spark for change.
Watch the Full Seminar & View the Photo Highlights
For those who missed the live session or wish to revisit the discussions, the full seminar recording and event photo album are available below:
Full Seminar Recording:
View more photos in the Photo Album.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank our dedicated lecturer, Associate Professor Dr Tharani Loganathan, for thoughtfully designing and guiding us through this enriching learning experience.
Prepared by Group 2, Master of Public Health (UM), 2025.
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