BY JACINTHA JOLENE
MIRI: Miri can expect to be drug free by 2024, judging from the One Stop Committee (OSC) and several other agencies’ commitment and zeal.
A Drug-Free Miri District Action Plan Workshop here yesterday (Jan 20) laid down several measures that could help the city achieve drug-free status in two years’ time.
The action plan includes:
- aggressive integrated enforcement actions to curb backsliding and demand for drugs and substances;
- strengthening access to treatment and rehabilitation for individuals and families who are abusive, addicted and affected by substances to help them to recover; and
- empowering vulnerable and at-risk groups in educational institutions, the workplace and in the community through targeted prevention activities.
The two-day workshop was the joint effort of the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, One Stop Committee (OSC) and Organisation for Addiction Prevention, Treatment dan Rehabilitation (OAPTAR).
OSC also stresses on the usage of integrated instruments, documents and systems such as the Social Issue First Information Report (SIFIR), Social Intervention Directory Form, Social Welfare Card, and Client Reference Form, to profile, track and analyse communities trapped and affected by drug abuse.
Officiated by Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the workshop highlighted the city’s substance abuse problem and drug-related arrests last year.
For example, last year alone Miri recorded 640 arrests – the second highest in the state – involving drug and substance abuse.
For the same period, Sarawak recorded 7,269 arrests with Kuching heading the list with 1,859 individuals, followed by Miri (640), Sibu (613), Bintulu (589) and Samarahan (489).
Fatimah, in her speech, expressed concern, saying: “If such social issues can’t be handled, then many will be affected and it will be very difficult for us to enjoy social peace and harmony. This is a very complex issue to begin with.”
She said social issues such as drug and substance abuse issues were society’s shared responsibility.
“This collective responsibility and ‘care for Sarawak’ must cut across public and private sectors, political divide and civil societies for the sake of sustainable community well-being in Sarawak”, she said.
Also present were Community Wellbeing Development Assistant Minister Razi Sitam, OSC MIDS Miri District secretary Edward Tagang and Social Development Council executive secretary Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah.
