KUCHING: Sarawak recorded 1,121 cases involving 1,379 arrests in July this year related to enforcement on drug and substance abuse, revealed Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said this was a result of 969 operations carried out by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN), National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak, and Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
“Fifty-six cases involving 86 arrests were for the offence of supplying and distributing drugs and substances. Of these, eight cases involving 18 arrests were under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.”
She said this at a press conference on the One Stop Committee on addressing drug and substance abuse periodic report for the month of July at the Baitul Makmur Building here yesterday.
Meanwhile, she said 191 cases involving 256 arrests in July were for possession of drugs and substances.
For the offence of positive urine drug test under Section 15(1)(a), Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Fatimah informed that 766 cases involving 735 arrests were recorded in Sarawak in July.
“Under the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Amendment 1998), Sarawak recorded 108 cases involving 302 arrests as a result of 66 operations carried out by Sarawak AADK.”
She said that to address drug and substance abuse in Sarawak, state OSC MIDS focused equally on action and intervention in the form of enforcement and non-enforcement.
On an analysis of July’s report compared to overall statistics from January to July, she said the total arrests for the category of drug supply cases in July was 19.5 per cent (86 arrests) compared with total arrests for the period of Jan 1 to July 31.
“The arrests for the category of possession in July was 17.7 percent (256 arrests) compared with the total for the period of Jan 1 to July 31.”
Fatimah advised that to address drug and substance abuse, collective responsibility from all parties was necessary as this issue was complex and complicated.
She added that drug and substance abuse could lead to other issues and social problems such as domestic violence, mental health problems, adolescent pregnancy, family issues, homelessness, and so on.
“Members of the community with information on drug and substance abuse activities can WhatsApp JSJN’s hotline at 012-2087222 and AADK’s hotline at 019-6262233.”
She advised individuals who found themselves stuck in such activities to seek treatment and rehabilitation from AADK and the nearest health clinic.
Also present were Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development permanent secretary Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat, Social Development Council executive secretary Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah, Sarawak JSJN deputy chief Supt Wong Leong Meng, Sarawak AADK deputy director Mohd Azli Senin, and other representatives.
