KUCHING: Based on the zoning and mapping of districts by the One Stop Committee (OSC) on addressing drug and substance abuse (MIDS), Year 2020 has shown that the number of high-risk districts for drug and substance issues has decrease from 15 districts in 2019 to nine.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the nine high-risk districts recorded last year were Kuching, Bau, Sibu, Miri, Limbang, Lawas, Bintulu, Samarahan, and Serian.
“In terms of medium-risk districts, there was an increase of 5 districts from 15 in 2019 to 20 last year,” she said at a press conference on the OSC MIDS January report at the Baitul Makmur II Building here today.
She said the medium-risk districts were Lundu, Sri Aman, Marudi, Subis, Sarikei, Meradong, Kapit, Belaga, Bukit Mabong, Sebauh, Asajaya, Simunjan, Mukah, Matu, Daro, Betong, Saratok, Pusa, Kabong, and Tebedu.
“As for low-risk districts, last year there were 11, which was an increase of 2 from the 9 districts in 2019,” she said.
She said the 11 low-risk districts were Lubok Antu, Kanowit, Selangau, Beluru, Telang Usan, Julau, Pakan, Song, Tatau, Dalat, and Tanjung Manis.
She said there were no districts categorised as vulnerable or free from drug and substance issues.
Fatimah said the zoning and mapping was based on risk levels for drug and substance issues, and this map was produced with information and data contributed by the various enforcement and non-enforcement agencies under OSC MIDS.
“This zoning allows OSC MIDS to focus on areas which are critical so that these areas are not lost on our radar when we carry out activities,” she said.
She said the map could be used as a guide for OSC MIDS to implement enforcement and non-enforcement programmes such as advocacy, awareness, and prevention activities.
