Iskandar sets sights on reducing drug problems

BINTULU: Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee aims to see a drastic drop in the number of drug addicts in his constituency by the end of this year.

Based on records, a total of 306 individuals in Bintulu were involved in drug addiction with the Jepak area recording a total of 79 people last year.

“The number makes Bintulu the fourth highest out of the 3,079 individuals found involved in drug addiction in Sarawak.

“As a responsible representative of the people, I aim to reduce drug addiction by 25 per cent by the end of 2024.

“My desire is to make Jepak a progressive and model development area without any social issues,” he said while inaugurating the Jom Gegar Jepak Programme: Drug-Free Maritime Friends with the Jepak Community at Balai Raya Jepak here, on Saturday.

To achieve his aim, he said drug awareness and prevention programs need to be implemented periodically involving all parties.

In the meantime, he said the organisation of the Jom Gegar Jepak programme: Drug-Free Maritime Friends with the Jepak Community is very much in line with his desire to ensure youth in the constituency are free from the problem of drug abuse.

“Today’s programme is an integrated intervention programme that focuses on Drug and Substance Issues (OBID) under the One Stop Committee (OSC) to Address Drug and Substance Issues (MIDS) in Bintulu District to provide comprehensive awareness related to drug abuse and illicit substances to ensure the safety and well-being of the community,’ he said.

“I am confident that with the collaboration of various parties such as government agencies, higher education institutions and the private sector we will be able to bring about significant changes in the Jepak area,” he added.

Also present were the Executive Secretary, Sarawak Social Development Council (MPS) of the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Welfare Development, Dr. Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah, Bintulu District Officer, Muhammad Dino Amid, Director of Corporate Communications, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Faridah Shuib and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science UPM Bintulu Campus, Prof. Associate Dr. Mohamad Maulana Magiman.