BY RACHEL MINA
KUCHING: The ongoing efforts of the One-Stop Committee (OSC) to address drug and substance issues (MIDS) have yielded positive and encouraging results, says Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Sarawak Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said data showed a 4.53 percent decrease in arrests compared to June (683 arrests).
Fatimah said the monthly report for the OSC MIDS showed that 437 enforcement operations were carried out by the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), Customs Department, and National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Sarawak.
“652 arrests were recorded. This number includes 70 involved in drug distribution; 156 for possessing drugs and substances; and 426 tested postive in their urine samples.
“Through the operations, 8.55kg of drugs and compressed substances and 3, 783 pills with an estimated value of RM231,000 were seized,” she told a press conference on Tuesday (August 24).
Fatimah said the drug seizures were equivalent to saving some 2,375 people in a month from becoming victims to the drug scourge.
“The arrests and seizures limited the supply and demand for drugs and substances, as part of the Committee’s Action Plan Chain, and demonstrated that Sarawak is not a transit point for drug distribution to our neighbouring countries.”
Fatimah said six arrests made by the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) related to drug and substance issues in July 2021 that showed a 75 percent decrease compared to June 2021 (24 arrests).
Also, 73 people were imprisoned for various offenses related to drug and substance activities. This number showed an increase of 43.83 percent compared to June 2021 (41 people).
“As of July 2021, 2,140 people are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, with 114 in Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen); 1,921 under community rehabilitation centres.”
In addressing the drug and substance issues, Fatimah said 114 prevention programmes were implemented by the district OSC MIDS in the workplace; in educational institutions; and in the community, in July.
