KUCHING: The drug problem in Sarawak is not as serious as those in other states in Malaysia, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“From the data feedback so far, drug abuse cases in Sarawak have increased by about 60 per cent in the first six months of this year.
“Furthermore, the types of drugs that are widely misused are Marijuana and Syabu (Methamphetamine). These types of drugs come from synthetic materials and plants,” he told a press conference after the State Level Anti-Drug Action Council (MTMD) meeting at the Urban Transformation Centre Meeting Room (UTC) here on Thursday.
Karim said drug abusers were usually between the ages of 25 and 40 years and most of them were unemployed.
“This situation will increase criminal activities as idle addicts are more likely to find income sources by doing stealing, robbing and so on to buy drugs,” he added.
“The selling of drugs can be prevented and eradicated by using animals such as dogs to detect the drugs.
“The problem is that Sarawak lack such dogs; so far, only three such dogs are under the custody of the Customs unit.”
Karim added that the cabinet had approved the allocation application by the Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (PEMADAM) to organise more awareness programmes on the danger of drugs for the public.
