MCPF Penang attended “A Penang Statewide Discussion on Decriminalization of Drugs for Use and Personal Possession organized by the Drug Prevention Program Malaysia (DPPM) on 6^th September 2024 at the E&O Hotel, George Town, Penang. The Keynote Address: “The Need for Drug Policy Reform in Malaysia and Globaly” was delivered by YBhg. Prof. Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Executive Management of Monash University Malaysia. YB Ram Karpal Singh, Member of Parliament for Gelugor officiated the Workshop. Notable speakers included Prof. Dr. Vicknasingam Kasinather, Professor, entre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Dr. James Koh, JKN Penang; Dr. Farhana Mohamad Pilus, Sektor Kawalan Tembakau & FCTC – MOH); Dr. Fadzil Mohd  Isa, Head of Addiction Psychiatry, HKL / AB; and, Mr. Palani Narayanan of DPPM. MCPF Attendees included YBhg. Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy, Assoc. Prof (Hon), USM cum Advisor, MCPF Penang; YBhg. Dato’ Seri Ong Poh Eng, Chairman MCPF Penang; YBhg. Dato’ Seri Syed Jaafar, MCPF Member & former MCPF Penang Chairman; Mr. Johnny Michael Tan, Secretary MCPF Penang; Mr. James Mohan, MCPF Penang SLC Member cum MCPF Barat Daya DLC Chairman; Mr. Paramaguru Balan Moghan, MCPF Penang SLC Member cum MCPF SPS DLC Chairman; and, Encik Rahumathullah Ibrahim, MCPF Penang SLC Member.

It was an enlightening full day workshop where the audience were given insights, shared their own thoughts with regards to key perspectives like why drug policy reform is needed in Malaysia; What is Decriminalization of Drugs for Use and Personal Possession?; Decriminalization being different from Legislation; lessons learned from evidences that it does work or will not work How it will work in Malaysia and what can be done to make it work. Participants understood that ‘Punishment does not work. Treatment does!” iterated by the mantra that “We need to Support, not Punish,” Definition of Decriminalization: Noun – The removal of criminal penalties for drug use and possession for personal use. People who use drugs should be provided with treatment and support through the healthcare system and community, not through imprisonment, mandatory rehabilitation, or the criminal justice system.”