PETALING JAYA: Malaysia needs to up the ante in its war on drugs, including providing police with the best equipment and deploying well-trained law enforcement officers with a high degree of integrity, say experts.

Criminologist Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said the relevant authorities should conduct studies to find out the main contributing factors to drug-related problems such as socio-economic issues, demand and supply, weak enforcement, integrity as well as porous borders.

“We need to screen and appoint only officers with high integrity to positions in the related departments, airports, border checkpoints, ports and Customs (checkpoints),” he said when contacted yesterday.

“Corruption is one of the main factors why drug-related issues are still rampant even though the war against it has been long. All relevant law enforcement agencies, including international agencies, need to work together and exchange information on drug trafficking.

“Combating the trafficking and sale of illicit drugs also requires international cooperation on top of strong national policies on prohibition and enforcement,” he said.

Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said the war on drugs must be carried out more comprehensively as it is one of the most financially lucrative criminal acts.

“The government must equip our law enforcement officers and agencies with the latest technological tools and complement it with the human factor, which is training high-integrity officers.

“We need to ensure that our officers have the right type of background, and they need to be given continuous training.

“I know such training is in place, but it should be done more aggressively. It will cost more money,” said Sundramoorthy.

While commending police efforts in the fight against drugs, Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said continued efforts from all fronts need to be carried out at the same time.

He said law enforcement has to be strengthened while parents also have to play their role to raise awareness among youth regarding the danger of drugs.

This article was first published on TheStar.