Cover Story: Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman weighs in on drug policy reform, higher education and overcoming challenges

One account that particularly moved Adeeba involved a former bank employee who nearly overdosed after enduring horrific domestic violence. “She experienced severe trauma and depression before turning to drugs.” Despite nearly overdosing, the woman’s resilience and eventual recovery serve as a testament to the power of targeted support and family care. “I want people to know it could happen to anyone,” Adeeba emphasises.

She advocates for an approach where drug use can be seen as a public health issue rather than a moral failing. “The money spent on law enforcement and prisons would be better spent on evidence-based prevention, treatment and support. That’s what they need,” Adeeba says. 

Research by Adeeba and her colleagues reveals stark outcomes: those in compulsory drug detention centres (CDDCs) are more likely to relapse, while evidence-based treatments like methadone reduce relapse rates by 80 per cent.

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Adeeba highlights another critical barrier in drug policy reform: widespread misunderstanding. “Society, policymakers, police, and even health professionals have been conditioned to view drugs as inherently bad and drug users as deserving punishment,” she explains. “Shifting that perspective is challenging, but personal stories bridge the gap between prejudice and reality.”

While efforts to combat illegal drug trafficking continue, Adeeba stresses that prevention must take precedence. “Educating youth and their families about drug dangers is far more effective than outdated methods like urine testing in schools or caning demonstrations,” she asserts.  

Adeeba also warns of the risks posed by social media, which facilitates access to drugs and unsafe practices. “Prevention is about building resilience, teaching refusal skills and fostering an understanding of drug use consequences. Equally, we must address youth mental health to tackle the hopelessness that drives drug use,” she emphasises.

Adeeba draws inspiration from Portugal, which decriminalised personal possession of all drugs in 2001 in favour of a health-led approach to policy. “On a walking tour, our guide explained just how unsafe this part of Lisbon was 20 years ago. Now, they’re thriving,” she notes. As Switzerland experiments with cannabis regulation, Adeeba anticipates promising insights from the study.

Malaysia, too, has seen progress. Adeeba credits the conversion of compulsory detention centres (CDDCs) to voluntary drug treatment centres (VTCs) as a bold step by the former deputy director general of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), Puan Sri Dato’ Zuraidah. VTCs allowed people to access much needed support, the effort lauded by UN agencies. “But because laws on drug use had not been changed, the subsequent administration closed these centres down,” Adeeba says.

Still, Malaysia has achieved milestones, including WHO validation in 2018 for eradicating mother-to-child HIV and syphilis transmission. Adeeba urges similar boldness for broader drug reforms.

On vaping and recreational drug use, Adeeba favours regulation over prohibition, likening it to tobacco control. “The health harms of marijuana are less than that of tobacco. Regulate for safety and push for awareness. History shows prohibition causes more harm than good,” she says, advocating for clean, tested products and education.

For Adeeba, the path forward requires compassion and evidence, transforming punitive systems into supportive networks. “People turn to drugs out of despair. Address the root causes, and we can break the cycle.”

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As the new CEO of Monash University Malaysia, Adeeba is excited about leading the 27-year-old institution with students from nearly 80 countries. “I admire the Monash ethos of focusing on the student experience, emphasising active learning, hands-on assessments and industry collaborations.”

While her role leaves less time for research, she remains dedicated to strengthening the institutions’ education and research portfolios. “I aim to bring the best of Monash medicine to Malaysia, addressing critical gaps in mental health, nutrition, preventive care and women’s health.” Her vision spans all seven schools, brimming with potential. “Our engineers are advancing green energy, and our scientists are uncovering climate solutions in mangroves.”

“The nature of work is changing,” Adeeba observes, wanting to prepare students for modern challenges. “Memorisation is no longer the key. Instead, we must cultivate curiosity, adaptability and the ability to analyse and apply knowledge.” Adeeba also underscores empathy: “As we rely more on machines, connecting with humanity becomes even more essential.”

The pandemic was one of the most challenging chapters of Adeeba’s career. As chair of the UMMC Covid-19 Task Force, she led efforts to combat the virus. “During Delta, we had to ration Tocilizumab, a life-saving immunotherapy. I was the final decision-maker on who received it,” she recalls. “I likely experienced PTSD.” Despite the challenges, she takes pride in her colleagues’ perseverance in transforming the 1,400-bed hospital into a Covid facility.

“The saddest part now is no one wants to discuss Covid or the lessons it taught us,” she says, concerned that fatigue has dulled interest in pandemic preparedness. “The vaccines saved us,” she adds, recalling the sharp drop in hospital admissions during the crisis.

On tough days, Adeeba recalls advice from a former Monash dean: “However bad things seem, wait two weeks—you’ll wonder why you worried. Don’t lose sleep over what isn’t life or death.” Since the pandemic, she’s found comfort at home with Miss Noobie, a cherished Siamese cat inherited from an expatriate couple. “With our boys working in London, she’s become our surrogate child, bringing my husband and me joy after long days.”

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