The Borneo Post (Sabah)

Govt to reduce drug abuse cases in Merotai, Tuarid Taud

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KOTA KINABALU: The government will focus on reducing drug abuse cases at Merotai in Tawau and Tuarid Taud in Keningau this year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the Keningau District Officer and the President of the Tawau Municipal Council have been appointed as High Risk Area Coordinato­rs (KBT) at the district level.

“I really hope that the District Officer as chairman of the District Drug Eradicatio­n Action Council (MTMD) can work together towards the greening of their respective areas and give serious emphasis on the efforts to maintain the greening achievemen­t of the High Risk Area Coordinato­rs (KBT).

“While the other two areas, namely Penampang (Kota Kinabalu) and Balung (Tawau), the greening process will be carried out in 2025 so that the issue of debt collection and social diversion in the state can be controlled,” he stressed when chairing the Sabah State Level Anti-Drug Action Council (MTMD) Meeting Number 1, Year 2024 at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Thursday.

The Chief Minister wants all members of the community to cooperate and collaborat­e together to fight drugs, which are the country’s number one enemy.

He said this is for the sake of the future of young people, the well-being of the community and the prosperity of the country.

Hajiji added the commitment and active involvemen­t of all parties in dealing with the problem of drug abuse, substance abuse and social diversion is highly demanded and important to achieve the government’s desire to realize Controlled Drugs 2025.

He said to achieve the Controlled Drugs 2025 requires cooperatio­n and unity of action from all parties, especially the state and district Drug Eradicatio­n Action Council (MTMD), political and community leaders, heads of department­s, the National AntiDrug Agency (AADK), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), local communitie­s and NGOs.

“In 2024, AADK has prepared clear and realistic plan and Key Performanc­e Indicators (KPI) covering all core areas, namely Treatment and Rehabilita­tion, Prevention and Enforcemen­t Programs, to ensure the main direction and strategy in efforts to reduce the rate of drug addicts whether new addicts or repeat addicts to achieve Controlled Drugs 2025, can be successful,” he said.

Hajiji said MTMD had been successful­ly implemente­d in 28 districts in 2023, including the appointmen­t of 28 District Drug Rehabilita­tion Committee (JKPD) chairmen and District Anti-Drug Volunteers (SKUAD) who are community mobilisers in helping AADK, particular­ly in the Community Treatment and Rehabilita­tion Program (RPDK) as well as Prevention and Public Awareness Program.

He emphasized that attendance at MTMD meetings is mandatory and the District MTMD chairmen must ensure that every head of department at the district level attends every meeting as scheduled.

“This is our way and method to check and balance the actions and implementa­tion of each decision of the meeting that has been mutually agreed upon.

Success in achieving Controlled Drugs 2025 requires cooperatio­n and unity of action from all parties,” he emphasized.

Also present at the meeting were Community Developmen­t and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, Sabah State Government Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Haji Safar Untong, Director General of the National Anti-Drug Agency, Sutekno Ahmad Belon and Sabah State AADK director Nani Sikin.

 ?? ?? Hajiji chairing the Sabah State Level Anti-Drug Action Council Meeting at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Thursday.
Hajiji chairing the Sabah State Level Anti-Drug Action Council Meeting at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Thursday.

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