BY AMYRA VARKISA
SIBU: Closer collaboration between the community and government agencies is essential in order to create greater public awareness of the war against drugs and substance abuse.
Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee therefore suggested that the One-Stop Committee for addressing issues of drugs and substance (OCS MIDS) here involve more members of the local community.
“As our Premier Abg Jo has always highlighted that the government is unable to work solo all on his own. No one should be left behind to suffer alone because of drug and substance addiction or abuses.
“The smart partnership between OSC MIDS and NGOs and interfaith based community is a good move which should be replicated by the other OSC MIDS throughout Sarawak,” he said at the launch of a ‘Drugs Kill Dreams’ project here.
The deputy minister also stressed on the link between drug and human trafficking.
According to Tiang, drug is the appetizer while human trafficking is the main course.
“Drug traffickers see both drugs and sex as lucrative industries and the link between human trafficking and opioids goes both ways.”
Hence, he urged everyone to work together in order to reduce the rising number of drugs and substance abuses as well as violence associated with trafficking.
“It is our social responsibility to be connected with the local community service providers and resources that can be readily available to learn more like AADK and OSC MIDS and Victory Home.”
He encouraged members of public to contact 24-Hour Hotline of AADK at 019 626 2233 and MAPO Hotline for human trafficking at 03 8000 8000 in casse of emergency.
