Fatimah calls for all-out effort against drugs

SIBU: Community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) in Sarawak must intensify efforts to help the government combat drug and substance abuse

According to Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah there are One-Stop Committees at all levels in the community.

“Even penghulus have been appointed to head the committee at their level. They can provide vital information to the police as they are closer to the people,” she said.

She said this at the opening of a Sibu District Drug-Free Action Plan workshop at a hotel here Wednesday (June 19).

She assured that community leaders need not fear retaliation for reporting drug activities, as the OSC includes various agencies like the anti-drug agency and the police.

She added that the agencies in OSC which is the first of its kind in the country against drug and substance abuse are working collaboratively and holistically to address drug issues.

Fatimah reiterated that drugs are the nation’s top enemy, leading to various social problems.

“The committee needs to stop the supply of drugs. We must also ensure this to tackle the demand even at village level.

“The next strategy is to ensure continuous awareness on the danger of drugs. We might not be able to achieve a total drug-free community but at least we have to lessen it,” she added.

She said another approach was to rehabilitate individuals and provide them with business grants for them to generate income.

“After they have been rehabilitated, they will be integrated into the society. By providing them with grants to buy business facilities, we are helping them to be independent and not resort to doing drugs,” she stressed.

She said a total of 11,470 arrests were made last year in the whole state. Kuching recorded the highest arrest rate with 2,674 followed by Sibu 1,280 and Miri 1,277.

“From the figures, (it shows that) we need to persevere as the drug issue is not an easy one to overcome,” she said.

Also present were Sibu Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman and Sibu District Officer Khalid Andong.