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RM5.38 mln to curb substance abuse

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Fatimah speaking to reporters at a press conference at Baitul Makmur 2 building in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: A total of RM5.38 million has been allocated to strengthen the effectiveness of the One-Stop Committee to address drugs and substance abuse issues (OSC MIDS) in Sarawak.

Its chairperson Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the contribution from the state government was welcomed by the agencies involved in OSC MIDS.

Fatimah, who is also the Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister said that this is to strengthen efforts to combat drug abuse as well as the smuggling of illicit goods, especially with regards to the courier system in the state.

“A total of RM3,012,000 was channelled to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Sarawak for scanners to detect drugs, as well as to obtain drug detection dogs.

“It also includes equipment to detect substance abuse, namely the Instant Visual Drug Detector (IVDD) and Hand-Held Drug Detector amounting to RM1,773,000 to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) IPK Sarawak.

“The requirement for the One Stop Centre for Addiction (Osca) facilities is RM245,000 to the State Health Department, while RM350,000 is for equipment and facilities for the operation of seven new community development and intervention centres (CDICs),” she said.

Fatimah hoped that it would help curb the spread of substance abuse.

Fatimah explained that so far, a workshop on the implementation of the Drug Free District Action Plan has been held in Dalat District from Sept 23 until Sept 26.

She added that the next workshop will be held in Betong today (Oct 16) and tomorrow (Oct 17).

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