Drugs: Sabah ‘better than the other states’
Published on: Tuesday, February 25, 2020
By: Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Drug related issues are not as serious in Sabah compared to other states across the country.
Out of the 13 states in Malaysia, Sabah is placed at number 12 when it comes to drug issues, meaning that Sabah is still better compared to the other states in Malaysia.
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This was revealed by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman during a media conference in conjunction with the State-level 37th National Anti-Drugs National Month Celebration held at Wisma Wanita, here, Monday.
In terms of rehabilitation and recovery, some 60 per cent drug addicts have recovered, indicating that Malaysia is far better compared to other countries.
“We in Malaysia is among the best when it comes to the number of addicts who have recovered,” he said.
For Sabah, he said, plans are being made to set up a rehabilitation centre in Keningau dedicated to women. Currently, female addicts in Sabah are sent to rehabilitation centres in the peninsula.
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Azis said there are also plans to set up another rehabilitation centre in Tawau in addition to the existing one in Papar.
“The one in Papar can no longer accommodate the capacity, thus we propose one in Keningau, especially for women, and another one in Tawau to cater to the east coast,” he said.
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“I hope the State Government will assist us, especially the National Anti-Drugs Agency in our efforts to establish more drug rehabilitation centre in Sabah because it is very important as Sabah is a huge State and we know that substance abuse is not a small number.
“With the existence of rehabilitation centres, I believe it can help our National Anti-Drugs Agency in rehabilitating those involved in substance abuse,” he said.
Last year, Malaysia recorded a total of 105,375 people involved in substance abuse across the country, while in 2018, a total of 130,788 people were engaged in such activity.
From the estimated 32.4 million Malaysian population, it was found that for 100,000 population there are 404 people engaged in substance abuse that same year.
As for Sabah, the National Anti-Drugs Agency recorded a total of 8,571 people involved in substance abuse. From the estimated four million population in Sabah, it was found that for 100,000 population a total of 214 are found involved in substance abuse in 2018.
Methamphetamine remains the main drug choice among teenagers and youths.
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Meanwhile, the event organised by the National Anti-Drugs Agency featured a variety of programmes, which included a Town Hall session with youths here.
Among those present were State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon, National Anti-Drugs Agency Director-General Dato Sri Zulkifli Abdullah, State Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi and Sabah AADK Director Abdul Hamediee Ibrahim, among others.