Agensi antidadah kebangsaan kementerian dalam negeri

193
Dr Abdul Rani bin Kamarudin , m/s 193-226
DRUG DEPENDANTS’ TREATMENTS AND
REHABILITATION : FROM ‘COLD TURKEY’ TO
‘HOT TURKEY’
Dr Abdul Rani Bin Kamarudin
1
ABSTRACT
This article concerns the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependants
in Malaysia and it assesses the country’s drug policy in dealing with
problem drug takers since the introduction of compulsory treatment and
rehabilitation of certified drug dependants since 1975. It looks at the
strength and weaknesses of the ‘Cold Turkey’ method of treatment which
until very lately has been the thrust in the government’s policy, and
recently, the maintenance on drug prescription to drug dependants. Given
the limitations in achievement of residential treatment and rehabilitation
cum the ‘cold turkey’ method, there is now renewed readiness on the
government’s part to adopt the maintenance on drug prescription for
treating and rehabilitating drug dependants, hence gradually moving away
from the ‘cold turkey’ approach. Central to the maintenance on drug
prescription for treating and rehabilitating drug dependants is the concept
of harm reduction, and this concept will be duly discussed. The experience
of United Kingdom in dealing with the treatment and rehabilitation of
drug dependants through maintenance on drug prescription cum harm
reduction is also highlighted to drive the point why the “cold turkey”
method of treating and rehabilitating drug dependants is by now a spent
force, and why it is also high time that more leeway should be given to the
medical approach rather than penal.
1
Associate Professor, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University,
Malaysia; LL.B Hons (IIUM – 1988); MCL (IIUM -1990); PhD in Law (Exeter – 2002); Non-
practicing Advocates & Solicitors (High Court of Malaya – 1991 & 1992) & Peguam Syarie
(KL & NS – 1996)

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JURNAL ANTIDADAH MALAYSIA
JURNAL ANTIDADAH MALAYSIA