PUTRAJAYA, Jan 17 — Drug users who voluntarily seek treatment and rehabilitation will not have any criminal records, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.

She said Sections 8 and 9 of the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 will be removed from the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 to give rehabilitated drug users a second chance, as agreed by the Cabinet Committee on the Eradication of Drugs.

“The suggestion was based on the need to eradicate the stigma towards rehabilitated drug users as well as to allow them the chance to get job opportunities.

“This is also to allow them to live a new life and function within the community,” she told a press conference after chairing the Cabinet committee meeting at the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU), here, today.

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Dr Wan Azizah said the incentives offered to employers that hire former convicts will be expanded to the recruitment of former drug addicts.

“The move will allow former drug addicts to have their dignity as they will be able to take care of themselves as well as their family,” she added.

The women, family and community development minister said the government’s initiative to fight drugs had been successful since 2016, and should be continued.

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She said a total of 178 hotspots had been identified and the focus will be narrowed to reduce the numbers.