Academy to train drug addicts undergoing rehab proposed
KUCHING: A proposal has been made for the establishment of a ‘ Human Capital Development Academy Sarawak’ for the drug addicts.
Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, the academy should open up opportunities to those involved in drug abuse, in getting help voluntarily.
“Through the academy, they will undergo rehabilitation; such procedure will not involve any legal actions against them. This is the approach that will be in use,” she said in her remarks after receiving a visit from a delegation led by Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.
The visitors comprised members of the Care- and- Cure Rehabilitation Centre ( Puspen) Sarawak board of visitors including their chairman Datuk Seri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki and deputy
Through the academy, they will undergo rehabilitation; such procedure will not involve any legal actions against them. This is the approach that will be in use. Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister
chairman Dr Taufek Nahrawi, state National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director Kartina Ujin, Puspen Kuching director Iskandar Turkee and its deputy director Lily Munan.
Abdul Karim is also the state chairman of the National Association for the Prevention of Drugs ( Pemadam).
Adding on, Fatimah pointed that the majority of those going into rehabilitation centres had gone through certain legal or court procedures before that.
“The stigma is that the majority of individuals involved in drug abuse are scared to get treatment as this means that they would be listed as those with criminal records,” she said.
“The proposal to set up this academy is good as we can target the youths, who constitute the highest number of drug users; we can address their addiction through the medical and recovery process but at the same time, we get them to develop their skills,” she said.
Meanwhile Abang Khalid said the visit was aimed at explaining to the minister the idea of such academy which according to him, would open up opportunities for those previously involved in drug addiction to start anew.
The site for the proposed academy is at the present Pemadam Sarawak headquarters in Mile 6. The new office for the state agency will be at Jalan Puncak Borneo near here soon.