BAU: The Bau One Stop Centre is being strengthened as a key platform to tackle rising drug abuse cases in the district, said Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.
Henry, who is Tasik Biru assemblyman, said the centre was established to coordinate efforts among enforcement agencies, community leaders and families in addressing the growing drug problem, particularly in rural villages.
“We established the One Stop Centre, a centre that helps provide solutions. We also have counselling services. We are committed, together with the community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK), National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak, other agencies and parents.
“Some parents send their children for rehabilitation. After rehabilitation, some improve. But some relapse. Sometimes it is due to a lack of family support. When they return home, they may not receive support from their families. It is difficult for them to find jobs, and they have no money,” he said after officiating the PDP Triennial Meeting at Dewan Suarah Bau here on Sunday.
He noted that drug abuse and distribution were no longer confined to specific areas but had spread widely across Bau.
“During a district action committee meeting last year, I asked which areas had the most drug problems. The answer was everywhere — Singai, Serembu, Krokong — it is all the same,” he said.
According to him, rural communities are increasingly being affected, with many arrests taking place almost daily.
“Many cases involve villagers. People get arrested, then released on bail, sometimes by their families, and the next day they continue again,” he said, adding that cooperation with parents was crucial in preventing repeat offences.
Henry said the issue was particularly worrying as many of those affected were youths who struggled to find employment.
Thus, he stressed that rehabilitation and community support were vital to help recovering addicts reintegrate into society.
