East Coast rehab centre awaits nod
Published on: Friday, July 26, 2019
By: Jeremy S Zabala
Zulkifli (left) talking to one of the clients at the Papar CCRC.
PAPAR: The establishment of a Cure and Care Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) in the east coast will depend on the State Government’s positive response to land allocation, said National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Director General Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah.He said the new centre is urgently needed as the existing facility in Sabah is overcrowded and affects the treatment of patients at the centre.
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“Discussions with the State Government was positive but we wait for an official approval from them.
“We have identified the suitable location in Kalabakan, Tawau, through collaboration with local District Officer.
“At least when the land issue has been resolved, further action and processes can be carried out by the Federal Government in constructing the new CCRC,” he told reporters during his official visit at the Papar CCRC, here, Wednesday.
Also present were Sabah AADK Director Bakri Bibi, Papar CCRC Director Hamediee Ibrahim and Kota Kinabalu AADK Chief Lawrence Galleh, among others.
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For the Federal Government to proceed, Zulkifli said there are many processes to be done before the construction of the project can be carried out.
He hoped the main issue can be resolved as soon as possible to ensure the processes can begin this year.
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“At least we can start the construction works by next year or latest by 2021. I have also asked the AADK State Director to follow up with the State Government on this matter,” he added.
With the establishment of the estimated RM100 million centre in the East Coast, he also said this will be of great help to the agency in carrying out their treatment programmes for the clients, especially with the growing number in the current centre.
He said this will ensure that the agency will be able to give great treatment services to the clients and hopes that the new center will be a “doorway” in “persuading” those involved with drug activities to voluntarily approach them (AADK) for necessary treatments.
“The agency’s efforts are actually to encourage more of those involved with drugs to voluntarily seek treatment as there are laws that allow them to do so,” he added.
At the same time, Zulkifli said the agency will not stop their outreach programmes, especially at the seven locations in Sabah which have been identified as risky.
The programmes will also be carried out with other government departments and agencies to ensure that the drug menace will be tackled holistically, he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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