BAU: A Community Development and Intervention Centre (CDIC) has been set up here to support community-based treatment and recovery efforts on substance abuse issues.
The establishment of the CDIC is one of the key strategies in Sarawak’s Integrated Action Plan for Dealing with Drug and Substance Issues (MIDS) to expand access and referrals for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation for the recovering community, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She also pointed out that Bau CDIC is the first established in Sarawak under One Stop Committee (OSC).
“Another CDIC that will be established is the Dalat CDIC in Oya for joint use by Dalat, Mukah, Matu and Daro Districts; CDIC Miri and CDIC Limbang.
“The opening of the Bau CDIC is for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in the community to deal with substance abuse issues especially in Bau district and in the Kuching Division.
“I hope that all parties will continue to provide continuous support and cooperation for the success of this CDIC for the well-being of the recovery community in Sarawak,” said Fatimah who is Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister.
She said the establishment of Bau’s CIDC is one of the intervention and social support centres supported by the Ministry in addition to other facilities such as the Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) and the Homeless Transit Centre (TTG) for the vulnerable, at-risk communities and affected by social issues in Sarawak.
“To ensure the effectiveness and positive impact of the establishment of the centre, a Bau CIDC advisory board was established.
“The role of the CDIC Advisory Board is to advise and monitor the Bau CDIC Management and Operations Committee on various matters relating to the management and operation of the CDIC,” she said.
Her speech was read out by Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep at the opening of the CIDC One Stop Committee (OSC) for Bau District Council, here, today (Nov 8).
According to Fatimah, the establishment of social support centres and intervention referrals is one of the Ministry’s initiatives to deal with 14 social issues that are given focus through the Sarawak Social Development Council (MPS).
“Among the social issues are drug and substance abuse; property crime; sexual crimes against children and women; domestic violence; teenage pregnancy; marriage and divorce; mental health; homeless persons; identification document problems; sexually transmitted diseases; poverty; cyber crime, bullying and ageing.
“Of the 14 social issues, the issue of drug and substance abuse is the most important because of its correlation with other social issues,” she said.
On CDIC, she said it was established as a prevention, treatment and recovery referral center for individuals and families stuck with substance abuse to support community-based treatment and recovery efforts carried out by various parties such as the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Sarawak State Health Department and non-governmental organisations.
Among those present were Bau District Council Officer Anielia Siam and Deputy State Secretary (Administration) Datuk Buckland Bangik.
