GOVT TO TAKE MEASURES TO STOP INFLOW OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS

PUTRAJAYA, May 13 (Bernama) -- The government is to adopt measures to stop
the inflow of synthetic drugs into the country because social problems like "Mat
Rempit" (illegal motorcycle racers) and snatch thefts are said to be linked to
drug addiction, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Tuesday.

He said he would ensure that all departments and agencies under the ministry
would collaborate to find more effective ways to tackle drug abuse.

"The biggest challenge now is synthetic drugs, which one can get addicted to
very quickly, while the chances of rehabilitation were very low.

"So, maybe, instead of trying to rehabilitate people from taking synthetic
drugs, the approach is to stop the synthetic drugs from coming into the country
in the first place," he said.

Hishammuddin said this after visiting the National Anti-Drug Agency
headquarters, here. The visit was his first since his appointment as the home
minister on April 9.
-- BERNAMA