by SHARIFAH NONG-JASIMA
KUCHING: A total of 2,287 individuals were imprisoned in Sarawak for drug and substance misuse last year.
Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said that the prisoner count in 2023 increased by 21.52 per cent compared to 2022.
Additionally, she noted that, as of December 2023, Henry Gurney School recorded a total of 29 juvenile offenders related to drug abuse.
“Meanwhile, narcotics enforcement agencies seized 1,293,645.12 gm (or 1,293 kg) of various drugs throughout 2023. This represents an increase of 952.91 per cent compared to the same period in 2022, when 122,863.59 gm was seized.
“The drugs seized from January to December 2023 are estimated to be worth RM 151,030,195.97,” she said this during a press conference on the One-Stop Committee to address drugs and substance abuse issues (OSC MIDS) Sarawak at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today (Feb 6).
Regarding state cases, she said that the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) will continue to enforce laws such as Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952, the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, and the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988 to more aggressively combat drug abuse.
Furthermore, Fatimah shared that the OSC Sarawak action plan for 2024 will focus on increasing integrated operations to combat drug and substance abuse, curb drug trafficking, and enhance integrated interventions for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals and families addicted to substances to support their recovery.
“In addition, the centre will strengthen the governance of State and District OSC MIDS, establish Centres for the Development and Intervention of Substance Abuse Communities, and expand the One Stop Centre for Addiction (OSCA) and Community Development and Intervention Centre (CDIC) services in a targeted manner under the District OSC to further enhance treatment and rehabilitation efforts in the community.
“Moreover, OSC MIDS Sarawak will increase prevention and advocacy programmes and strengthen the tactical and logistical support for enforcing drug and substance abuse activities and treatment, including drug detection equipment, addiction detection, and urine verification,” she added.
