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KENINGAU: A Special Action Committee is being formed by the State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Ministry to address substance abuse and addiction in the State. 

According to its Minister Datuk James Ratib, the committee must be established to address the issue that has extended to villages around the State, including those in the interior. 

“As the Minister responsible, I have proposed that a Special Action Committee be formed to act together with the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam),” he told a press conference in conjunction with his visit to the AADK Office, here.

He indicated that the committee will include local leaders from each village. 

James, who is also State Health Exco, said the committee would help eradicate the drug menace in Sabah, particularly in rural areas.

“In this regard, I will discuss with the AADK Director and Pemadam on how members of the committee can be established together with community leaders in each village,” he said. 

Regarding the visit, he said it would extend beyond the Upper Interior to neighbouring districts on the East Coast as well as the Kota Kinabalu area.

During the briefing by Keningau District AADK Chief Mohd Azlan Sulaiman, James said he would not compromise on substance abuse and addiction in the State. 

“I consider drugs to be the main enemy in Sabah. If it is not dealt with, the society in this State, especially youths, will be destroyed,” he said. 

He encouraged relevant agencies to take drastic action to cope with the problem. 

He was also concerned about the involvement of young people in rural communities in substance abuse and addiction.

Mohd Azlan said the Keningau AADK office now has 150 clients undertaking treatment and rehabilitation in the community.

He said Keningau has 106 people, Tambunan and Tenom (15), respectively, Sook (eight) and Nabawan (six).

“AADK has prioritised five initiatives in this area this year: implementation of the High Risk Area Programme; strengthening the role of mobilisers; expanding anti-drug action meetings in all Upper Interior Districts; establishing drug rehabilitation committees in all Upper Interior Districts; and strengthening the role of the anti-drug squad,” he said.

“However, AADK has concerns and challenges such as staffing shortages, geography, allocation, intelligence and operational security, building security and leakages.”