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More holistic approaches at addressing drug issues

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Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah during a photocall with the guests at the press conference. Photo: Mohd Azzman Rosali

KUCHING: The One-Stop Committee (OSC) to address drug and substance issues (MIDS) aims to further strengthen the effectiveness and impact of its action plan in Sarawak for this year.

Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this includes implementing its Integrated Community Wellbeing Action Plan for communities involved with Substance Abuse.

“The implementation will be done through an integrated approach and collaboration among OSC MIDS members at all levels by sharing data and information in managing these cases as well as providing ongoing assistance or services and feedback for referred problems.

“Various instruments such as Social Issue First Information Report (SIFIR), Social Intervention Directory (SID), Client Reference Form (BRK), Social Welfare Card (KKS) will be used throughout the implementation process,” she told a press conference here yesterday (Feb 23).

Fatimah said the parties involved also plan to set up Penghulu MIDS Bureaus in all District MIDS OSCs with six having been officially established in Betong, Miri, Dalat, Kapit, Bau and Sri Aman thus far.

Apart from that, OSC MIDS also carried out aggressive enforcement operations against drug abuse activities using tactical equipment and instruments funded by the Sarawak government to further increase its effectiveness.

“The allocation given by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to purchase equipment such as Narcotics Scanners, Instant Visual Drug Detector (IVDD), Hand-Held Drug Detector and drug detector dogs also assisted in the operation.

“The State Health Department also conducted operations on seven One Stop Centre for Addiction (OSCA) facilities to ensure the effectiveness of the plan can be achieved,” she said.

He added that the capacity of OSC MIDS members with addiction prevention, treatment and rehabilitation competencies through training conducted by NGO strategic partners was also enhanced to manage substance abuse cases.

“Through the implementation, the issue of drugs and substances is hoped to be curbed successfully in the future for the welfare of the people in this country,” added Fatimah.

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