‘Sarawak still has lowest number of drug cases in country’

September 9, 2015 

Abdul Karim (second left) taking a closer look at a sample of drug brought in by Customs officers.

KUCHING: Youth Development Assistant Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is certain that drug-related cases in the state are still the lowest in the country.

“We are rather fortunate that we are separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the South China Sea which makes it more difficult for drugs to come in.

“Nonetheless, we cannot take things for granted and be complacent as pushers will use any means to bring drug into the state,” he said.

Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister for Housing and State Pemadam chairman, told reporters this after launching a ‘Drug Prevention Education Programme in Schools’ at SMK Petra Jaya here yesterday.

He said much efforts were put in by various enforcement agencies to fight the country’s number one enemy, and it was important to bring the rate down to the minimal.

“It’s impossible to eradicate the drug menace because as we all know although hard drugs may not be obtained easily, there are substitutes such as pills and cough syrup,” he said.

Hence Pemadam together with other government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools continue with educational programmes to create greater awareness among the public, particularly the younger generation.

Earlier at the launch of the programme, Abdul Karim said the drug prevention programme should be encouraged in every school.

“Drug abuse is a social problem that I believe happens not only in urban schools but also in rural ones. Our hope is that our students will refrain from drug abuse at all times.

“Students are our future leaders and their characters today will determine the future status of the country. If our present youths are without any direction than the country will be in great trouble in 20 to 30 years’ time,” he said.

Therefore he urged parents, teachers and society to help create a disciplined and drug-free future generation.

“Our students should stay focussed and refrain from involvement in drugs which will ruin their future and that of their parents, state and country.

“This is the greatest challenge facing our youths,” he added.

Also present at the event yesterday were Education Department senior assistant director Abdullah Sani Abdul Rahman, SKM Petra Jaya principal Abd Radzak Ismail, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Awg Zaidel Awg Jamil and guests.

Among the programmes held during the event yesterday were exhibition and demonstrations on how dogs are used to detect drugs by Customs Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit.