Synthetic drugs abuse on the rise, worrying, says minister

July 11, 2019

KUCHING: Abusing synthetic drugs which are produced by mixing chemical substances such as syabu and amphetamine is on the rise among Sarawakian youths.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is a worrying trend as the side effects of the drugs, besides addiction, would include aggrasiveness and mental problems.

“Social problems such as theft are also likely to occur as the drug users would need money to buy the drugs,” Abdul Karim told a press conference after chairing a meeting of Sarawak-level drug eradiction action council yesterday.

Belia 25-40 tahun banyak terlibat penyalahgunaan dadah: Karim

March 28, 2018

KUCHING: Golongan belia berusia 25 hingga 40 tahun adalah antara yang banyak terlibat dalam penyalahgunaan dadah pada 2017.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, mereka terdiri daripada penganggur dan yang ada pekerjaan.

“Pada tahun 2017, seramai 2,056 orang yang ditangkap akibat penyalahgunaan dadah adalah terdiri daripada mereka yang berusia 25 hingga 29 tahun.

Abdul Karim: Everybody has roles to play in eradicating drug menace

April 29, 2017

SIBU: Enforcement agencies should not be left to shoulder all the responsibilities in eradicating drug abuse.

According to Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, it is everyone’s responsibility, especially the parents, to keep the negative influence away.

Abdul Karim, who is also the state chairman of the National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam) said: “The community, including district officers (all DOs are the district Pemadam heads), schools, parents-teachers associations, village security and development committees (JKKKs), mosque, church and temple committees, political parties, youth movements, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and people’s elected representatives have roles to play.

“The people, especially the youths, need to be taught to hate drugs and see drug abuse as an evil deed that could destroy the community and the nation if left unchecked,” he said when contacted yesterday.

The Asajaya assemblyman was commenting on a recent disclosure, where a random urine test carried out by National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak on 99 secondary students at four schools in Lawas between January and March this year, showed that 23 of them tested positive for drugs.

Karim: Need to revisit effectiveness of anti-drug strategies

March 28, 2017

SIBU: The increasing number of drug addicts in the country has prompted calls to revisit the effectiveness of existing strategies, programmes and activities to curtail drug abuse.

According to National Anti-Drugs Agency’s (AADK) statistics, 22,643 new addicts were detected in the country last year compared to 20,289 new addicts detected in 2015.

In 2014, there were 13,605 new addicts detected nationwide.

“Based on statistics, the number of drug addicts in the country seems to be on the rise and this is bad news.

“I do believe there is a need for a revisit on the effectiveness of existing strategies, programmes, activities and especially enforcement in our fight against drug abuse,” Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Abdul Karim: Wiping out drug menace should be concern of all

March 24, 2017

SIBU: Eradicating the drug menace requires the concerted efforts of everyone in society, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.

Stating that drug abuse is not associated with a particular race or age group, he also said the menace affects all strata of society and not only those in the urban areas.

“It should not be left entirely to the relevant enforcement agencies, schools or non-governmental organisations (NGOs),” he emphasised.

Abdul Karim is the state chairman of National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam).

Stampin MP Julian Tan recently called for the police to address cases of drug-related activities in schools, claiming that there were increasing drug cases infiltrating schools and involving students.

Revisit methods of addressing drug menace – Abdul Karim

June 19, 2016

SIBU: Methods to address the menace of drug abuse need to be revisited as such cases continue to rise.

Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he believes the main reason is the lack of strong and committed law enforcement against drug trafficking and abuse.

“We need a revisit on how we should address the drug abuse problem as despite all the stringent laws, drug trafficking and abuse seem to be on the increase,” he told thesundaypost when commenting on the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation’s (MCPF) call for the Ministry of Education to take the worsening drug abuse among students to the cabinet for immediate action.

“Too much money is at stake and I am not surprised, the lack of commitment, enforcement, prosecution and committal of offenders has something to do with that.”

He called on parents and schools to play a bigger role in educating children to shun drugs.

“The war against drug abuse is a long and tough battle and if we lose this war, our future generation will be at stake,” he added.

According to National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) statistics, in 2014 a total of 13,605 new drug addicts were detected, accounting for 62.47 per cent of the total 21,777 addicts in the country, with repeat cases contributing 37.53 per cent or 8,172 cases.

Pemadam state chief chides Lee for no-show criticism

March 2, 2016

KUCHING: Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) Sarawak chairman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has chided Communications Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin for criticising Pemadam, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and the police for not showing up at the opening ceremony of a new drug rehabilitation centre in Miri recently.

According to him, the association was not invited to the opening ceremony in the first place.

“I wish to inform that the state Pemadam and its Miri branch were never informed nor invited to this new rehabilitation centre ceremony and I am unaware whether the police or AADK were invited either,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Lee last Saturday expressed his disappointment at the no-show by police, AADK and Pemadam at the opening of Sarawak Kenosis Home – a drug rehabilitation centre for men – at Tanjong Lobang in Miri.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas), said Lee should have checked on the invite with the organiser or with him in his capacity as assistant minister at the Ministry of Social Development on Pemadam and AADK before making the statement which was uncalled for.

“Furthermore, Datuk Lee should also check on the procedure and administrative arrangement for the setting up of a private drug rehabilitation centre.

“I was informed that anybody or organisation that wishes to set up a private drug rehabilitation centre must seek clearance and endorsement from the Ministry of Home Affairs and AADK and from what I was informed, no such clearance or request has been sought by this private drug rehabilitation centre,” he remarked.

Kuching records 121 drug addicts in first five months

September 16, 2015

Abdul Karim (centre) speaks to the press about the latest drug statistics in the state, while (from left) Sebastian, Izhar, Wan Madihi and Sekam look on.

KUCHING: Kuching Division recorded the highest number of drug addicts with 121 known addicts from January to May this year, followed by Samarahan (72) and Miri (57).

Assistant Minister of Social Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said based on statistics from National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Kuching recorded 230 drug addicts, with 121 in Miri and 113 in Samarahan the whole of last year.

“Statistics for the first five months of this year shows there are 365 known drug addicts in the state, while 749 were recorded in 2014.

“The age group of 22 to 29 has the highest usage in both periods, with 309 addicts in 2014 and 155 as of May this year,” he told a press conference after chairing a Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) meeting yesterday.

In 2014, drug addicts below 17-years-old totaled 17, those between 18 and 21 stood at 107 and those between 30 and 39 was at 230.

This year’s number of drug addicts as of May below 17 years totaled six, 18 to 21 stood at 57 and 30 to 39 was at 103.

Abdul Karim noted that even though there were not many heavy drug abuse cases in the state, there was a worrying increase in the use of inhalants and synthetic drugs among youths.

Sarawak masih dalam zon selamat - Karim

September 15, 2015

Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah di apit oleh Ketua Pengarah AADK Sarawak Wan Madehi Wan Salleh (kanan) dan Timbalan Ketua Pengarah AADK (Operasi) Izhar Abu Talib.

KUCHING: Kategori umur yang paling aktif dalam kes penagihan dadah di Sarawak dalam tahun 2014 ialah 22 tahun hingga 29 tahun.

Ini didedahkan oleh Menteri Muda Perumahan dan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah dalam sidang akhbar yang diadakan di sini hari ini.

Beliau turut mendedahkan Sarawak mencatatkan jumlah penagih yang dikesan seramai 1,114 dari tarikh 01 Januari 2014 sehingga 31 Mei 2015 yang mana Bahagian Kuching mencatatkan jumlah penagih yang dikesan yang paling ramai sebanyak 351 orang.

Walau bagaimanapun, menurut Abdul Karim, Sarawak "masih berada di dalam zon selamat" jika dibandingkan dengan mana-mana negeri di Malaysia.

Tambah beliau lagi, agensi-agensi kerajaan yang berkaitan tidak memandang ringan hal ini dan akan terus memperhebatkan usaha-usaha untuk membanteras dadah.

Menurut beliau, diantara usaha-usaha yang sedang dilakukan ialah dengan "menghalusi" mekanisme bagi tujuan melicinkan keseluruhan proses memerangi dadah.

Abdul Karim, yang merupakan Pengerusi PEMADAM Sarawak, turut memberitahu kes penagihan ubat batuk di negeri ini tidak banyak kerana kebanyakan kes-kes penagihan dadah lebih tertumpu kepada pil Nospan dan menghidu gam.

Masyarakat Islam harus mendalami al-Quran, kata Karim

June 12, 2015

KUCHING: Masyarakat Islam harus mendalami al-Quran bagi membangunkan generasi unggul dalam pelbagai aspek.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia (Bandar) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, cabaran umat Islam pada masa kini adalah begitu getir dengan pelbagai ancaman terutama berkaitan akidah di kalangan golongan belia.

“Al-Quran adalah mukjizat teragung yang dikurniakan Allah SWT kepada Rasulullah SAW sebagai pedoman hidup buat manusia dalam mencapai kebahagiaan di dunia dan akhirat.

Use ‘educational approach’ to combat drug abuse, says Abdul Karim

April 6, 2015

SIBU: Drug awareness programmes should be intensified to educate the public, particularly students, on the dangers of drug abuse.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who made the suggestion, said educating the people was more important than conducting drug screenings in schools, which is not something new.

“This has been done in some schools in Sarawak, where some students were suspected of drug abuse,” Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Laman rama chara moden nyual sereta nyadung dadah di menua tu

February 26, 2015

KUCHING: Opis Narkotik, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) tetap beratika laman rama mensia mayuh baka Facebook ti nyadika kereban dikena bejualka dadah, madahka pengawa diri empu salah nguna dadah tauka endur ngulihka dadah, taja pan pengawa salah nya agi mimit di menua tu.

Kepala Opis Narkotik PDRM Supt Lukas Aket madahka polis sigi beratika aktiviti Facebook bala nembiak ke nyata mantaika gambar diri salah nguna dadah, madahka palan endur ngambi dadah tauka pemadah bukai bekaul enggau aktiviti dadah.

“Iya, kami sigi beratika aktiviti dadah ti dipandangka dalam Facebook sereta nengah telefon binching bala nembiak,” ku Lukas madah lebuh dikerandau ba aum media Khas Komiti Pengatur PEMADAM Menua Sarawak beserimbai enggau atur pengawa ‘Jasamu Dikenang ke ex-chairman PEMADAM Sarawak Datuk Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi’ di sebuah hotel ditu, ensanus.

Atur pengawa nya ke bela digulu Chairman baru PEMADAM ti dipadu Kepala Menteri Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (nganti Sharifah Mordiah) madah, kerejasama ari mensia mayuh sigi diperansang enti sida iya bisi tetemuka Facebook orang ke tampak dipeda nyual dadah tauka mandang aktiviti sida salah nguna dadah, tau ngeripot pekara nya ngagai Opis Narkotik, PDRM.

“Ripot ari mensia mayuh sigi dikelalu laban enti ngarapka ejensi Anti-Dadah Kebangsaann (AADK), Narkotik aja, enda ulih. Sida iya pan enda ulih ba serata endur. Nya kebuah, kerejasama mensia mayuh sigi beguna amat,” ku Abdul Karim.

Ku Abdul Karim, enggau pemansang media rama diatu, chara nyadung dadah ukai baka kelia, ke semina dibai enggau jari nuju orang nya, tang chara diatu moden agi ari nya.

“Chara nyadung dadah tau dibai nengah kurier sereta nyual nengah laman rama ti tebal dipejalai nengah chara nya. Chara kami mutarka pekara tu enda tau enda professionyel mega lalu ukai semina ngarapka PEMADAM, Narkotik tauka AADK tang saup ari mensia mayuh. Dunya udah majak berubah,” ku iya.

Ubat batuk 'dadah murah'

February 25, 2015

KETAGIH ... Ubat batuk dan selsema dikenal pasti sebagai 'dada murah' yang menjadi tumpuan penagih dadah kurang berkemampuan.

KUCHING: Ubat batuk dan selesema dikenalpasti sebagai 'dadah murah' yang menjadi tumpuan penagih dadah daripada kalangan orang kurang berkemampuan.

Pengerusi Dadah Malaysia (PEMADAM) Sarawak Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mendedah perkara itu kerana, pengambilan dan pembelian kedua-dua ubat berkenaan dilakukan tanpa pengawasan yang ketat.

"Kedua-dua ubat ini boleh didapati dengan mudah di kedai-kedai ubat dan farmasi.

Orang kurang berkemampuan yang menjadi penagih tetapi tidak mampu membeli dadah seperti syabu, ganja, heroin sebagainya akan membeli ubat batuk dan selesema itu bagi melepaskan rasa ketagih.

"Ini kerana pengambilan ubat batuk dan selesema yang berlebihan boleh menyebabkan individu berkenaan berkhayal, seterusnya ketagih," tegasnya ketika dalam sidan media di sini, hari ini.

Menurut Karim, mestipun, 'keseronokkan dadah murah' tersebut agak kurang berbanding dadah lain, namun ia menjadi sumber dadah utama kepada penagih kurang berkemampuan.

"Sebenarnya, undang-undang memang dikenakan terhadap penjualan kedua-dua ubat berkenaan di pusat-pusat farmasi dan kedai ubat, namun ia tidak tegas dan terdapat juga pusat mengabaikan undang-undang berkenaan," jelasnya.

Sarawak among lowest states in drugs cases

February 25, 2015

KUCHING: Sarawak is one of the states in the country with the lowest drug cases, revealed State Narcotics Investigation Department head Supt Lukas Aket.

"In Sarawak, we are third or fourth lowest in drug cases, with Perlis the lowest. States with the highest cases are Selangor, Penang and Johor," he said told a press conference after attending a meeting organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (PEMADAM) at Imperial Hotel here, yesterday.

State PEMADAM chairman Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, also attended the meeting.

Lukas said 5,237 cases of arrest for drug offences were made in Sarawak last year.

"We are aware of the changing trend of drugs from the more traditional drugs to designer drugs," he said.

Meanwhile during the meeting, Abdul Karim said the state PEMADAM had a 5-year strategic action plan to combat drug abuse in Sarawak.

"We will try to reach out to schools, institution of higher leaning, and also to parents.

Hapuskan dadah siber

February 25, 2015

PERANGI DADAH: Abdul Karim (dua kiri) menerima dokumen terima tugas daripada Sharifah Mordiah pada majlis tersebut.

KUCHING: Media sosial seperti Facebook (FB) didapati sebagai saluran terbaharu untuk menjual dan membeli dadah di Sarawak.

Menteri Muda Pembangunan Belia Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata, kegiatan yang menyalahgunakan teknologi itu perlu dibanteras sebelum semakin parah dan menular dalam kalangan masyarakat.

“Kita mendapati ada indiividu yang menggunakan FB sebagai saluran menjual dan mendapatkan dadah.

“Tetapi setakat ini, ia belum di tahap bermaharajalela lagi kerana polis memantau rapi kegiatan tersebut,” ujarnya pada sidang media selepas majlis serah terima tugas Pengerusi Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (PEMADAM) di sini, semalam.

Majlis itu menyaksikan Abdul Karim tampil sebagai Pengerusi PEMADAM Sarawak baharu bagi menggantikan Datuk Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi yang telah menyandang jawatan itu hampir 30 tahun.

Turut hadir, Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Narkotik (JSJN) Sarawak Superintenden Lucas Aket dan Pengarah Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK) Sarawak Wan Madihi Wan Salleh.

Abdul Karim turut menyeru sesiapa yang mempunyai maklumat mengenai aktiviti haram itu agar menghubungi pihak berkuasa.

Regulate sale of ‘poor man’s drugs’ to prevent abuse

February 25, 2015

Karim receives his official letter as Pemadam state chair from his predecessor Datuk Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi. Lukas is at left while AADK state director Wan Madihi Wan Salleh is at third left.

KUCHING: The sale of ‘poor man’s drugs’ need to be regulated to prevent their abuse.

Newly-elected Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) state chair Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is because such substances are cheaper and easier to access than designer drugs.

“The government is actually looking at ways to control substance abuse. Other common forms of substance abuse are glue sniffing, which is quite rampant in Sarawak,” the Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban Areas) told reporters yesterday.

“I am not pointing fingers, but drug stores or pharmacies should not sell these substances (such as Nospan and cough medicine) to anyone without a doctor’s diagnosis letter or sell it in a very large quantity.”

Nospan (dextromethorphan HBr) and cough medicines, which contain codeine or promethazine, are widely sold at pharmacies, but can cause hallucinations if abused through excessive use.

Through the abuse of these substances, users are more likely to progress to an advanced stage of drug experimentation and addiction on designer drugs such as ecstasy, syabu, methamphetamine and Erimin-5.

Karim pointed out that the enactment of such regulations comes under the federal government.

Kes dadah di Sarawak pemadu mimit di Malaysia

February 25, 2015

KUCHING: Ulah salah guna dadah di Sarawak entara ke pengabis mimit dibanding enggau menua bukai di Malaysia.

Kepala Opis Narkotik, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) Supt Lukas Aket madah, Sarawak entara menua ke pengabis mimit betapi enggau penanggul makai dadah, iya nya ba tangga lumur tiga ari baruh di Malaysia.

Di Malaysia ku iya, menua ke pengabis mayuh, iya nya Selangor, Pulau Pinang enggau Johor.

“Sarawak ba tangga lumur tiga pengabis baruh dibanding enggau menua bukai di semenanjung. Enti nitih statistik sida ke ditangkap ketegal kes dadah dalam taun 2014, urung 5,237 iku ke lalu dirintai ari baruh bekal, ngempu sereta peresa ai kemi.

“Tang enti dibanding enggau pemayuh dalam taun 2013, penyampau ke ditangkap manggai 4,248 iku. Enti diperatika taun 2013 enggau 2014, taun 2014 bisi nambah,” ku Lukas seraya madahka bengkah dadah ke seruran dikena, iya nya bepanggai ba trend dadah maya nya tang diatu mayuh ke makai ‘Designer’s Drug’ (DD) baka Syabu, Ecstasy, Eramin 5 sereta sekeda bansa DD bukai.

Ari statistik ejensi Anti-Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK), Direktor opis nya, Wan Madehi madahka ti dijaga AADK diatu bisi 614 iti kes baruh Seksyen 61 (B) enggau 38 (B), lalu ari pemayuh nya, 175 iti kes dijaga di CCRC Kuching, 227 iti kes baruh Seksyen Dikemata lalu laluh nya, 122 iti kes asil ditangkap polis Narkotik baruh Seksyen 28(B).

Sebedau nya, ba atur pengawa Aum Khas Komiti Pengatur PEMADAM Menua Sarawak beserimbai enggau ‘Jasamu Dikenang ke ex-chairman PEMADAM Menua Sarawak, Datuk Hajah Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi’ bela digulu Menteri Muda Pemansang Nembiak (Nengeri) Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, ti dipilih nyadi Chairman PEMADAM Nengeri Sarawak nganti endur Sharifah Mordiah ke udah 28 taun lebih mangku pengawa nya, ba sebengkah atur pengawa ti digaga di sebuah hotel ditu, kemari.

Halt the drug scourge

September 15, 2014

“Many drug users are from the younger generation because of peer influence and trend." -Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Agency: 7 out of every 10 drug addicts caught in Malaysia last year aged between 19 and 39

SIBU: Loud calls for more educational and youth-related programmes are ringing across the country as drug abuse is ensnaring a huge number of youths.

In the first 11 months of last year, of the 7,078 drug addicts rounded up, 4,893 – or 69.13 per cent – were individuals aged between 19 and 39.

According to the National Anti-Drugs Agency’s (AADK), friends had influenced 2,929 of these 7,078 drug addicts, or 42.88 per cent, to get hooked on drugs.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye urged the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) to implement more educational programmes as the bulk of drug addicts were youths.

“The answer to this drug problem is actually prevention. Unless and until you can mount an effective prevention programme, you will be just ‘fire-fighting’ all the time.

“More importantly, is the prevention programme (effective) to stop people from getting hooked on drugs? This is the most practical way, and it requires a concerted effort,” Lee told The Borneo Post.

Lee said sporting activities were also effective in keeping youths from being lured into taking drugs.