KUCHING: Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Ministry welcomes the proposal to establish a Human Capital Development Academy in the state by the Kuching Drug Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen).
Its Minister, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah said the establishment of the academy would complement the efforts by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak.
“The proposal by Kuching Puspen board of directors is a good one because the academy will focus on ‘returning’ the youth to the community without involving a legislative process.
“It means that those who come out from the academy will have no criminal record against them,” she told a press conference held after the courtesy call by Puspen Kuching board members at her office at Baitulmakmur, yesterday.
Fatimah said most of those who involved with drugs, especially the youth, would be scared to receive treatment for fear of being picked up and arrested by the authorities.
She said the fear was due to their previous criminal records and that was one of the reasons youths were reluctant to get appropriate help.
“But if they voluntarily register with the academy or Puspen, they can be treated and at the same time, come clean from their criminal record,” she said, adding that the proposed establishment of the academy was also in line with the current need to reduce drug addicts among youths.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Kuching Puspen board of directors Dato’ Sri Abang Khalid Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Marzuki said they had suggested for the academy to be located at Mile 6, close to Puspen office.
“Our visit today is to forward the proposal to the ministry for consideration and the academy will take care of the drug addicts, especially students and youths who newly involved in drugs.
“We want young addicts to know that they still have a chance to go back to society and hopefully the ministry will help in the establishment of the academy.
Also present were state chairman of National Association for the Prevention of Drugs (Pemadam) Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Minister for Welfare and Community Wellbeing Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
