The Drug Policy Summit Malaysia brought together government officials, as well as national and international experts, to explore pathways toward evidence-, health- and human rights-based approaches to drug policy.

Opening the Summit’s first plenary session, Commissioner Kamarulzaman delivered a keynote address on “The Cost of Criminalisation in Malaysia”. She highlighted the human, social, and economic consequences of punitive drug laws and underscored the importance of evidence-based alternatives that improve health outcomes and strengthen communities.

As part of the Summit programme, the Global Commission on Drug Policy, in collaboration with the Drug Policy Program Malaysia (DPPM) and UNICEF Malaysia, co-organized a consultation on “Transforming Drug Policy: A Focus on Children and Youth”. The session, moderated by Commissioner Kamarulzaman, featured contributions from Anna Tomasi (Global Commission on Drug Policy Secretariat), Saskia Blume (UNICEF Malaysia, Chief of Child Protection), Beatrix Vas (Global Commission on Drug Policy / Youth RISE / Paradigma Coalition), and Dr. Zufar Yadi Brendan Bin Abdullah (SUHAKAM – Human Rights Commission of Malaysia).

The discussion examined how current drug policies affect children and young people, and how a child rights–based, evidence-informed approach can guide future reforms.

Through these engagements, the Global Commission on Drug Policy continues to promote health-centered and pragmatic approaches to drug policy in the Asia-Pacific region.