‘Unprofessional’ rehab centres to be monitored

The National Anti-Drug Agency does not condone abuse, mistreatment or bullying by operators of private drug rehabilitation centres.

Its director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon said although the centres used their own methods in the recovery curriculum, it does not mean they can violate regulations set under the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.

“Generally, the agency will not protect any centre registered under the Act and if elements of bullying, abuse or mistreatment exist, it means the centre is not for rehabilitation because it does not meet the criteria,” he said after the agency’s Jamai’e Iftar event at the Tampin Narcotics Rehabilitation Centre in Pulau Sebang on Wednesday.

He was commenting on an abuse case involving residents at the Eagle Land 1 centre in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, which was circulated on social media and is now under investigation.

He said although the agency sets minimum standards that must be adhered to by over 60 centre operators nationwide, it only involves aspects of facilities, amenities, accommodation and the welfare of residents.

“For recovery methods, we do not standardise them because there are various approaches. It would not be fair for us to standardise them because it would be construed as government interference.

“If the method used is too harsh or abusive, we will ask them to remove it from the curriculum. If the method seems harsh in terms of discipline but the residents are willing to accept it and do not perceive it as abuse, then we have no issue.”

He said if there are violations or noncompliance with the stipulated minimum standards after reminders were issued based on inspections, monitoring and audits conducted by the state agency and the headquarters, appropriate action will be taken, including cancelling the registration of the centre.

On the Eagle Land 1 case, Sutekno said the agency would issue a reminder to the centre soon due to violations of minimum standards for operating a drug rehabilitation centre.

“We will give the management a 14-day grace period for the restructuring of the centre to comply to avoid facing closure.

“This is following inspections that found the centre did not meet the minimum standards, especially in terms of accommodation, user capacity and space for activities.” – Bernama