Will We Win War On Drugs

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For decades, our nation has been fighting hard against drugs, using strict laws, mass arrests, and heavy punishments.
Despite thousands of arrests, drug abuse is growing. Are we truly solving the crisis - or just scratching the surface?
A grim reality
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail recently revealed that more than 192,000 people were involved in drug-related cases last year. This shocking figure shows that traditional methods, though important, are no longer enough to stop the spread of drugs.
Today, getting drugs can be as easy as ordering food online. Social media platforms - once places for connection - now double as secret marketplaces. A quick message is all it takes to buy drugs - and sometimes, it leads to tragic overdoses.
In the past, our approach to drug problems was mainly about punishment. The focus was on arresting and jailing offenders, hoping fear would stop drug use.
But this method didn’t tackle the real reasons people turn to drugs - such as poverty, unemployment, stress, and family issues.
By focusing only on arrests, we ended up trapping addicts in a cycle of poverty, shame, and repeated offences. Punishment without help or treatment gives them little chance to escape this trap.
When corruption sabotages justice
Making things worse is the issue of corruption. There are claims that illegal clubs and drug operations are protected by certain people through bribes.
When those who are supposed to uphold the law are part of the problem, how can we make real progress? If corruption continues, our fight against drugs will be like trying to fill a leaking bucket.
Hidden dangers of social media
Social media, once just a place to connect with friends, has now become a dangerous space where drugs are marketed to young people as party boosters or harmless herbal pills. Some even glamorise drug use, making it seem cool to the younger generation.
Laws alone can’t stop this trend. We need strong awareness campaigns that help the rakyat, especially youths, understand the risks and resist these temptations.
Places like nightclubs, especially those operating without proper licences, have turned into drug-selling hotspots. Undercover checks show that some club workers act as drug dealers, offering ecstasy, ketamine, and meth to customers in secret.
The tragic deaths of several people at the Pinkfish concert in Sunway prove how deadly this problem is.
Closing these places down might seem like the answer, but it could just push the problem underground. What we need is cooperation between club owners and authorities to ensure nightlife remains safe.
Borders under threat
Our country’s location near the “Golden Triangle” - a known drug-producing area - makes things harder. Smugglers use high-tech methods like drones and hidden compartments in shipping containers to sneak drugs in.
If we don’t act, we risk becoming more than just a transit point - we could become a hotspot for global drug cartels, putting our nation’s security and future at risk.
To stop this, we need more than just extra patrols - we must use modern artificial intelligence technology, like smart cameras and scanners - to catch criminals before drugs enter our borders.
Many people want tougher punishments for drug dealers - and rightly so. Those destroying lives with drugs must face strict consequences.
But experience from other countries shows that tougher sentences alone don’t stop the problem. As long as there’s demand, smugglers will find a way.
We need to ask ourselves: Should we just focus on punishing people, or should we also work on stopping people from wanting drugs in the first place? Countries like Portugal have shown success by helping addicts recover instead of just jailing them.
We all have a role to play
Families are on the frontlines. While the police and government are essential, nothing beats guidance from parents and close relatives.
Talking openly about the dangers of drugs, providing healthy alternatives, and staying involved in our children’s lives can keep them from falling into this trap. Communities, too, must unite - not just to punish but to support and educate.
This isn’t just the authorities’ responsibility. It’s everyone’s fight - yours, mine, and ours. We can’t let greed, corruption, or politics get in the way of protecting our future.
The rakyat must stand together, demand fairness, and hold those in power accountable. Do we really want to watch another generation be lost to drugs?
A warning we can’t ignore
History warns us: stay silent, and we risk becoming like Colombia - a place where cartels once ruled over cities and lives. That’s a future we must avoid at all costs. But avoiding it means taking action now.
To truly solve this crisis, we need a full reset. More programmes to keep youths engaged, better mental health services, and more job opportunities are essential.
Alongside stricter border checks and anti-corruption measures, we must make it easier for addicts to get help and find their way back into society. This fight isn’t just about catching criminals, it’s about saving lives.
Everyone’s war, everyone’s responsibility
Drug abuse affects everyone - families, schools, workplaces. Teachers, religious leaders, community elders, and everyday people must step up. It’s not just about enforcing the law - it’s about caring for each other.
Time is running out. Without immediate and united action, the cost won’t just be rising numbers - it’ll be lives lost, families broken, and futures destroyed. We all have a choice: Do we stay comfortable or commit to saving our future?
The time for talk is over. Action starts now - for our children, future, and home. - Mkini
MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is a former Federal Territories Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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