Pubdate: Thu, 05 May 2005
Source: New Straits Times (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2005 NST Online
Contact:  http://www.nst.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3734
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

GETTING RID OF DRUGS IN CLUBS

TWO operators of a popular nightspot in Malacca have been charged with 
allowing drugs to be consumed in their disco.

Archive Since 1991 This makes them the first club owners to be brought to 
court since Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar directed the 
police early last month to enforce Section 13(C) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 
1952. There is no doubt that this addresses a previous anomaly in the 
execution of the law against drug taking and trafficking where action was 
only taken against the patrons but not the operators.

Moreover, as Noh explained last month, more and more, drugs are no longer 
being distributed in the back alleys but in the "entertainment outlets 
which operate till the wee hours". At the same time, club drugs like 
Ecstasy and Ice are becoming more popular, especially among the affluent 
young in the major cities, because of their euphoric and hallucinogenic 
effects. The authorities have been aware for some time of the dangers posed 
by this flow of designer drugs in the clubs.

In fact, last month, Federal Narcotics director Datuk Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz 
said that the police had "compiled a list" of such nightclubs and were 
"waiting for the right time to strike." More than half of the 600-odd 
patrons of an entertainment outlet in Johor Baru tested positive for drugs 
when it was raided in April. Given the changing patterns of drug dealing 
and use, the authorities have acted rightly in coming down hard on the 
operators of entertainment spots.

Proposals to amend Section 13(C) to provide stiffer penalties -- there has 
even been talk of a mandatory death sentence -- are also moves in the right 
direction because the drug trade is so lucrative that the present maximum 
fine of RM10,000 is too paltry and the maximum five- year prison term too 
inconsequential. Since the local councils issue entertainment licences, 
they should also withdraw them from clubs where drugs are taken and sold, 
and close them down. It is important to make the legal provisions as tough 
as possible because strong powers are needed to deal with a very serious 
problem. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the police and the other 
authorities will not be over-zealous in interpreting this Section. As the 
deputy minister has acknowledged, drugs are often used or sold by the 
customers or employees without the knowledge of the owners.

The authorities should, therefore, only act against operators who knowingly 
assist or permit drugs on their premises.

For their part, club owners should do more to co-operate with the police, 
assist in surveillance, and provide intelligence. They should not allow a 
favourable environment for the sale and use of drugs to develop on their 
premises. It is important, therefore, that they help to develop common 
strategies to contain the elements that are making clubs synonymous with drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom