Drug abuse: S’wak remains in bottom three

March 23, 2018

Abang Johari (centre), flanked by Nur Jazlan on his right and Abdul Karim, joins the delegates from Pemadam at the Chief Minister’s Office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia.

KUCHING: Sarawak is still in the lowest three among all states in as far as drug abuse is concerned.

According to Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, this is due to the approaches and initiatives taken by the state government in educating the people, especially youths, on the dangers of drugs.

“For the past 10 years or so, Sarawak remains the third lowest in the number of drug abuse cases despite our increasing population and porous border.

“This is largely due to our effort to combat drug abuse in the state,” he said during a press conference at Merdeka Palace Hotel here yesterday, after chairing a meeting on the 43rd National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam) triennial general meeting (TGM) to be held here on
July 31.

Abdul Karim, who is also Pemadam Sarawak chairman, said Narcotics Police are now focusing on Lawas, Limbang, Miri and Bintulu, adding that several raids and arrest had been conducted there, especially in
Lawas.

“Do not be alarmed with the frequency of raids and arrests, especially in Lawas. This shows police are making a serious effort in ridding the state of the drug menace.”

On the Pemadam TGM, Abd Karim said it would be the second time Sarawak to play host after the first one in 2000.

He said during the TGM, Pemadam Sarawak would continue to push for the sale of glue to be regulated.

He added that more than 2,000 people, including those from Education Department, Health Department, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), would attend the TGM to share their ideas on how to combat drug abuse.

National Pemadam vice-president Datuk Omar Osman was also present at the meeting yesterday.

Meanwhile, a delegation from Pemadam led by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who is also president of Pemadam, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.

There, Nur Jazlan handed over the official letter of appointment to Abang Johari, stating that the latter is now the patron of Pemadam.

The visit was also meant to invite Abang Johari to officiate at the opening of the Pemadam TGM and also an ‘Anti-Corruption Course’ this Aug 1.

Pemadam deputy president Senator Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah was among the visiting delegates. -TheBorneoPost