Abim says ‘yes’ to syringes, condoms

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Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) today supported the move to provide free syringes and condoms to drug addicts, but with a caveat.
The programme should not convey the message that it was all right to take drugs and practise free sex, secretary-general Azizuddin Ahmad said.
Azizuddin said the movement was relieved to learn that the free syringes and condoms would be given under strict supervision.
He said this after a roundtable discussion on the implications of giving free needles and condoms to drug addicts, attended by about 10 representatives of several organisations, including Pas.
The Health Ministry’s HIV/AIDS programme manager, Datuk Dr Faisal Ibrahim, explained the efforts being undertaken to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Also present were Federal Territory Pas Liaison Committee member Dr Rayney Azmi Ali and Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Harunssani Zakaria.
Dr Faisal assured that only trained care workers would be allowed to distribute new syringes in exchange for the old ones and these would only be given to addicts who came personally.
"This programme will also help track undetected drug addicts so that we can give them assistance such as counselling and advise them to undergo tests for HIV."
He said a comprehensive action plan would be unveiled early next year.
A committee will monitor the pilot project.
Azizuddin wanted the Government to use religion to tackle the problem, and suggested that imams play a bigger role in this.
"Abim, with its limited resources, has trained over 30 imams for such a purpose," he said.
Dr Rayney said Pas believed that a strong religious foundation would help check the drugs and HIV/AIDS problems.