Malaysia

Malaysia is located in southeast Asia and is bordered by Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore. Its government and population are predominately Muslim, but there are many Hindus and Buddhists. Approximately 40 percent of the [Page 481]population is of Chinese and/or Indian decent. The authorities are tolerant of those of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. Malaysia's primary drug problem involves domestic use of heroin and opium. Based on recent United Nations (UN) data, 1.1 to 1.6 percent of the population age 15 to 64 use opiate drugs annually. As most of the drug users employ injection via often tainted hypodermic needles as the method of use, Malaysia has been beset with one of the highest rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C, particularly in its prison population. Just over 6 percent of Malaysia's prison population is HIV positive. Malaysia is struggling to prevent HIV transmission when prisoners are returned to their community. According to reports from the International Drug Policy Consortium, Malaysia's HIV transmission rates are so high that the country faces an epidemic that needs to be addressed by its public health department.

Marijuana is third behind inhaled opium and injected heroin among the most popular drugs of choice. Of those between the ages of 15 and 64, 1.6 percent are annually users of marijuana, according to UN data. This explains the convictions for trafficking in marijuana and the strict penalties associated with the drug. Malaysia has recently experienced a rise in synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine and ecstasy. Part of the reason for the growing popularity of these narcotics is that they can be consumed orally, thereby reducing the likelihood of contracting a disease. It appears that the consequences of opiate use are being mitigated by switching to other forms of available narcotics rather than abating drug use as a whole. The strict penalties associated with drug trafficking have not generated a significant deterrent to drug use as expected.