MCPF Penang (SLC & DLCs) were amongst a captivated crowd who were in attendance at a talk entitled “Drugs, Crime, Law Enforcement and the connection to Drug Policy by Mr. Neil Woods, Independent Consultant on Law Enforcement, Crime and Drug Policy hosted by Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Universiti Sains Malaysia on Monday, 16^th December 2024. The Agenda covered: 1. Welcome by Y.Bhg.Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy, Assoc. Professor (Hon), CPR USM (also, Advisor, MCPF Penang); 2. Address by Mr. Palani Narayanan of Drug Prevention Program Malaysia (DPPM); 3. Talk by Mr. Neil Woods; 4. Q&A; 5. Group Photo and Lunch / End. In Attendance were: 1. Prof. Dr. Vicknasingam Kasinather, Professor, Centre for Drug Research, USM; 2. Assoc. Professor Dr. Azeem Fazwan bin Ahmad Farouk, Director, Centre for Policy Research (CPR), USM (also MCPF Penang SLC Member, ex-officio [USM]); 3. Y.Bhg. Dato’ Seri K. Pulayantran, Deputy Chairman, MCPF Penang; 4. Others from relevant Agencies; PDRM; NGOs; Centre for Drug Research, USM; Centre for Policy Research (CPR) USM; and, USM staff. 

Other MCPF Penang attendees included: 1. Mr. Johnny Michael Tan, Secretary, MCPF Penang; 2. Mr. Munusamy Muniandy, SPU DLC Chairman; 3. En. Ridzuan Md Zain, SPT DLC Chairman; 4. En. Rahumathullah Ibrahim, Committee Member; 5. Y.Bhg. Dato’ Mohd Nashir Ya, Vice-Chairman (II), Timur Laut DLC; 6. Mr. Thomas Goh Eng Wah, Vice-Chairman (II), SPT DLC; 7. Mr. Peter Paul Arokiyasamy, Secretary, Timur Laut DLC; 8. Mr. Haribalan Gopal, MCPF SPU DLC; 9. Mr. Goh Hoe Eng, Treasurer, SPT DLC; 10. En Madzuki bin Md Nor, Treasurer, SPU DLC; 11. Mr. Prabu Moghan, Barat Daya DLC; 12. Mr. Kenny Ho Kee Meng, SPT DLC Member; 13. Ms. Nirmala Kuppusamy, SPT Committee Member; 14. Mr. Liew Zhi Sern, SPU Committee Member; and, 15. Mr. Shane Evans David, SPU Committee Member.
Quick Insights / Background of the current situation in Malaysia on the subject matter based on the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952; Registrar of Prisoners & Undesirable Act 1969; and, the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Amendment 2024) was shared by Mr. Palani Nayaranan prior to introducing the invited Speaker Mr. Neil Woods to the attendees. This was indeed an enlightening session where the Speaker shared his personal experiences and expertise in his field. Mr. Neil Woods cited apt examples from numerous counties including the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada, and, USA. As aptly summarized by Dato’ Dr P Sundramoorthy, this session is for the audience to ponder upon as food for thought.