KUCHING: A total of 12 people came for treatment at the One-Stop Centre for Addiction (OSCA), run by the Sarawak Health Department as of April this year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KKWPK) Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said of the total, seven of them went to Tudan Health Clinic in Miri, and five of them at Petra Jaya Health Clinic here.
“I would like to call upon those who are involved with illicit substances to come forward voluntarily for treatment and rehabilitation at OSCA health clinics,” she said during a press conference on the Monthly Report of the One-Stop Committee to address drugs and substance abuse issues (OSC MIDS) at the Baitul Makmur II Building here yesterday (May 24).
She said one of the benefits of the establishment of the OSCA is that it is conducted in health clinics and it involves the health issues of individuals involved substances abuse.
“When it comes to health issues, the community will not stigmatise them as compared to them getting treated at Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC).
“In CCRC, the community look down on them as compared to them voluntarily getting treated at OSCA.
“The current drug abuse recovery rate in Sarawak is 1 to 8 ratio and this is a bad thing. Meaning that for every individual who seeks treatment and rehabilitation, there are eight more people who do not show up for treatment and rehabilitation,” she explained.
Fatimah also revealed that the services provided at OSCA do not only involve those who have problems with drug addiction, but also those who are addicted to cigarettes and alcohol.
She added that as of April, a total of 115 clients are currently receiving treatment and undergoing rehabilitation at CCRC where 88 of them are receiving treatment by court order while the other 27 are voluntary.
