KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Cabinet Committee on Combating Drug Abuse has agreed to proposed recommendations and amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic), who chaired the meeting on Tuesday (June 11), said the amendments prioritised those seeking treatment and rehabilitation.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the meeting discussed several important matters at length, particularly the amendments to Section 8 of the Act, which pertained to the voluntary treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependants or abusers.

“This matter will be brought to the Cabinet meeting before being tabled in Parliament,” he said in a Facebook post.

According to Ahmad Zahid, the meeting was held following the Cabinet’s decision on April 30 to establish a Special Committee involving the Home Ministry and Health Ministry to discuss the proposed amendments.

“Hopefully, the efforts of both ministries in managing the issue of drug treatment and rehabilitation will yield the best benefits,” he added. – Bernama