TACKLE DRUG ADDICTS TO RESOLVE SNATCH THEFTS - MCPF

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Snatch thefts can be contained. Tackle
drug addicts and inadvertently, there will be a dip in the number of snatch
thefts in the country, suggests Lee Lam Thye.

Drug addicts had been identified as the source of snatch thefts nationwide,
noted the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman.

He said that as long as this problem (drug addicts) was unresolved, many
dadah-related crimes would continue to occur, such as snatch thefts and other
petty crimes.

"Thus, providing employment to rehabilitated drug addicts to keep
them away from crime is crucial.

"I suggest to both the government and the private sector to look into the
employment of rehabilitated drug addicts and re-integrate them into society," he
said in a statement Sunday.

If the new government could take the lead, it would be easier to
convince the private sectors to follow suit, said Lee.

Recently, snatch thefts caused the death of two pregnant women, causing
anxiety among societies who called on the government to impose harsher
punishment against the thieves.

-- BERNAMA