Urine Tests To Be Mandatory For Concertgoers In Malaysian State? The Reason Revealed

The proposal is being met with resistance, but police and local authorities want to put a cap on drug use in Malaysia, especially during concerts. The standard operating procedure was proposed after four persons lost their lives recently.

A state in Malaysia is proposing that whoever attends a concert there, must undergo a urine test first, a diktat that many are finding unnecessary and bizarre. But, it has been proposed after a rather unfortunate event that claimed the lives of a few people and made others severely ill. According to news reports, the local state authorities have called it a 'standard operating procedure', proposed after four persons -- who were suspected to have used the drug 'ecstasy' -- died during a show on New Year's Eve. In all, seven persons fell unconscious at a Pinkfish concert in Selangor state's Subang Jaya city on New Year's Eve, of which four died. Hussein Omar Khan, the chief of Selangor police said an investigation concluded that all of the victims had taken ecstasy pills at the event, as mentioned in a report by The Straits Times.

What Is Ecstasy?

Ecstasy, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), is also known as MDMA and Molly. It acts as a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It is known to produce an 'energising' effect, which can 'distort' the concept of time and perception in those who consume it. Also considered to be a party drug, ecstasy comes in pill or powder form.

What Is The Effect Of Ecstasy On The Body?

The DEA warns that the drug can increase motor activity, alertness, heart rate and blood pressure in people. It can also trigger muscle tension and tremors, teeth clenching, nausea, sweating and euphoria. One feels a lot of empathy, reduced inhibition, chills and blurred vision, along with varying degrees of confusion, anxiety, depression and paranoia. Severe dehydration, sleep problems, and drug craving are also common side effects.

The DEA further warns that overdose of MDMA can 'interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature', which can occasionally lead to a 'sharp increase' in the body temperature (hyperthermia). It can cause liver, kidney, or cardiovascular system failure, swelling of the brain, and even death.

The Malaysia Ecstasy Tragedy

"We believe there were individuals who sold the drug at the concert. We are in the midst of identifying the drug pushers," Khan was quoted as saying by news outlets. Cops are currently investigating to find out from the concert organisers whether the drugs were bought before the event or if they were given to the attendees at the venue. In order to prevent such tragedies from happening again, the Selangor state has recommended that concertgoers undertake urine tests at the venues.

But, this proposal is being met with reluctance and resistance from concert attendees and organisers, who are calling it 'impractical'. Some are urging the government to focus on the more pressing issue: of how the drugs made their way into the country in the first place. Some organisers are questioning as to who will bear the price of these health screenings, while others are pointing out that it will probably take hours to conclude urine tests for every concertgoer.