KUCHING: Sarawak needs another Drug Rehabilitation Centre, said Assistant Minister of Community Wellbeing Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.
He revealed today that Sarawak’s Drug Eradication Action Council had appealed to the federal government for the centre to be built in Miri for the Northern Zone.
Harden was presenting the One-Stop Committee to address drugs and substance abuse issues (OSC MIDS) monthly report on the management of drugs and substance Issues for December.
He said the number of people under supervision had decreased by 0.95 percent in Dec compared to Nov last year.
‘’There are 1,880 individuals under the supervision of National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Sarawak as of Dec 31 last year. Based on that, 97.56 percent of them have managed to maintain their recovery following treatments and continue to be free from drugs.”
1,835 drug abusers had successfully recovered since Jan last year, said Harden, adding that 88 people underwent treatment and rehabilitation last month in the Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC) or Puspen through court mandated orders.
He also revealed that the State Health Department would be expanding the One-Stop Centre for Addiction (OSCA) services by making them available at the Petra Jaya Health Clinic starting this month.
“From Jan to Dec last year, 14,839 individuals came forward to receive treatments because of addiction to substances such as alcohol and tobacco at facilities available in the state’s Health Departments.
“Besides that, 41 individuals went to the OSCA operated by the Health Department in Tudan Health Clinic for treatments last year,” he said.
