Clinics pushing drugs

Star: It is becoming increasingly easy for drug addicts to get their “fix" from certain clinics in Kuala Lumpur instead of from pushers. Many are turning to these new sources too because the supplies are cheap, constant and convenient.
“Of the 10 new inmates at our centre, at least three that I know of used to buy their fix at clinics,” said Kevin (not his real name), 41, who is undergoing rehabilitation at a centre in Cheras.
He showed StarMetro three types of pills he bought from a clinic in Kajang recently. These were in green, blue and white and each was about the size of two rice grains. They were packed in white plastic packets that did not bear the clinic's name.
According to Kevin, the blue pill sold at RM2 to RM3 each. “It is a normal sleeping pill, but when consumed in large quantities – about 10 at a time – it will make one go on a 'high' as though he has taken Ecstasy pills," he said.
The green pill also sells for RM2 to RM3 each. It is normally taken with methamphetamine crystals (also known as Ice).
The white pill sells at RM11 for a 2mg pill and RM30 for a 8mg pill. It makes one feel as though he has taken drugs. Kevin said some addicts were prescribed medicine to help them rid of the habit.
“They are cheaper than the ones sold by pushers, and the effect is almost the same," he said. “Addicts know of the clinics by word of mouth."
The clinics are enjoying sudden surge of income. “Once when I was at a clinic, about 20 addicts were waiting for the doctor," said Keven.
It is easy to buy the pills, too.
“We need to write down our particulars the first time we visit the clinics. Then we see the doctor; he will sometimes hypocritically scold us and advise us not to take too much. Nevertheless, he will still sell the pills no matter how many times he has scolded us,” he said.
“For larger quantities, we need to see the doctor. If it is less than three pills, we can get it straight from the nurses at the counter.
“They know who we are."

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA)’s Substance Abuse Committee chairman Dr George Fernandez said the association was aware that the drugs were being abused and viewed the practice as serious breaches of the ethics and the Medical Act.
“The MMA has no punitive powers and can only expel a member if found guilty of such breaches. The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC), however, has the punitive powers. For the MMC to act against a registered medical practitioner, a complaint must be lodged against the medical practitioner and action will be taken against him,” Dr George said in an e-mail.
“The Health Ministry is aware of the abuses and it is a matter of time before these errant doctors are brought to book. Doctors found violating the Medical Act 1971 are punishable under Regulation 24 Dangerous Drug Act 1952 and are therefore liable to disciplinary proceeding under section 29(2)(a).”
“The MMC has already charged several general practitioners under this regulation."
According to Dr George, the association was working closely with the Health Ministry in tackling the issue. It is also involved in the training of general practitioners in the treatment of substance abuse and addiction.
“So far, my committee has trained 480 general practitioners in substance abuse addiction and abuse. This, by the way, is the record highest number of doctors trained in substance abuse treatment in the world."
The blue pill is midazolam. It is a psychotropic drug that can be prescribed only by a registered medical practitioner. This drug is prescribed for insomnia in correct (small) doses. The MMA is aware that drug addicts are abusing this drug by crushing it and injecting it into their veins in combination with Heroin and other Amphetamine Type Substances for a quick fix.
The white pill is buprenorphine. It is being abused similarly. This is used in the treatment of heroin addiction in doses of between 2mg to 32mg a day.
It is still available but only in the 2mg strength. Doctors prescribing this and other psychotropic drugs have to follow strict guidelines and if caught in violation of the regulations, they will be severely punished by the MMC and even risk being struck off the register.
The green pill is not identifiable and is suspected to be a pill produced by backyard manufacturers to be sold to the drug addicts.