Several deaths and medical emergencies among local people at music festivals in Malaysia have not occurred until recently. However, studies in other countries in 2005-2008 showed that drug use among groups of participants during music festivals has occurred. Therefore, participants who attend large festivals or parties are a high-risk group, perhaps because drug use and the market for illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) have grown significantly in Malaysia and around the world.

 

The use of illegal drugs in Malaysia has indeed existed at almost all age levels. Among adolescents aged 13 to 17, a study reported in 2019 showed that 6.6% of boys have used drugs at least once, while 1.7% of all adolescents in this group reported having tried drugs. For youth aged 15 to 40, a recent nationwide survey revealed that 5.5% had used drugs in their lifetime, and 3.5% had used them in the previous month. University students in ASEAN countries also showed higher rates, with 16.9% admitting to using drugs in the previous year in a study covering Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.

 

A variety of illicit drugs have been reported in Malaysia, including natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs. Heroin is the most widely abused semi-synthetic drug in Malaysia, while synthetic amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) such as ecstasy, syabu and yaba have been identified as illicit drugs with increasing use. Forensic analysis has revealed that the content of heroin sold on the street often contains less than 10% heroin. Although not as potent as heroin or ATS, cannabis remains a significant illicit natural drug in Malaysia. Illicit drugs may also interact with pharmaceutical drugs or herbal ingredients taken together, making polysubstance use an increased risk for drug toxicity.

 

There is also growing concern about the emergence of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS); synthetic molecules designed to mimic the effects of natural drugs such as cannabis. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported an increase in NPS in 147 countries by 2024. In Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, the market for methamphetamine and various NPS has grown exponentially. All of these chemicals are included in the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and this has significantly reflected the changing patterns of drug abuse and the growing market.

 

Therefore, there are several recommendations that are within the scope of consideration in Malaysia for various parties in Malaysia to reduce the risk of drug use among at-risk groups during music festivals based on numerous studies in Australia and the Netherlands. Among these recommendations are, improving drug education at all ages and introducing pill testing. For example, pill testing allows members of the public to submit chemicals for toxicological analysis to determine the content, purity of pills and powders, which may be able to list potentially harmful chemicals and ultimately encourage drug disposal. By adopting these strategies, drug use and related harms across various age groups may be reduced in Malaysia. Also, chemists in various government agencies and local universities also need to get support from research fund sponsors and special funds at the local level to carry out qualitative and quantitative drug studies in the field and in the university laboratory.

 

Dr. Mohd Rashidi Abdull Manap AMRSC, FSSM |

 

Department of Chemistry

Faculty of Science UPM

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang,

Selangor MALAYSIA

Date of Input: 22/01/2025 | Updated: 22/01/2025 | ahmadzaidi