KUCHING: The One Stop Committee (OSC) for Addressing Drug and Substance Abuse (MIDS) in Sarawak has made significant strides in combating the issue from January to October 2024.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that the enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), conducted a total of 7,145 operations during this period.
“These efforts culminated in 10,123 arrests, reflecting a marginal increase of 0.68 per cent compared to the same timeframe in 2023. The arrests were categorised into specific offences with 478 individuals apprehended for drug distribution, 1,652 for drug possession, and 7,993 for drug use following positive tests.
“Enforcement measures also yielded substantial drug seizures, with 552.49 kilogrammes of narcotics and 42,894 pills confiscated. These items, valued at RM35 million, potentially prevented 199,471 uses and provided intervention for 24,933 individuals,” she said during a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Thursday.
On the rehabilitation front, she added, the committee reported that 5,484 individuals received treatment. Of these, 270 underwent institutional rehabilitation, 3,630 were monitored under AADK programmes, and 147 were supported by various non-governmental origanisations (NGOs).
Preventive initiatives were also a crucial component of the state’s strategy. A total of 466 programmes were implemented across Sarawak, targeting schools, workplaces, and communities. Simultaneously, intensified enforcement in high-risk districts such as Kuching, Sibu, and Miri has resulted in the highest arrest rates statewide.
“Positive trends were evident in some key areas. Cases linked to drug supply decreased by 6.27 per cent, and drug possession offences saw a reduction of 9.92 per cent compared to the previous year. Encouragingly, juvenile involvement in drug-related crimes plummeted by 29.16 per cent, with only 17 cases reported in 2024,” she added.
She went on to highlight the need to improve voluntary rehabilitation participation and to enhance social reintegration mechanisms for recovering individuals.
Plans are underway to expand treatment options, including the establishment of additional One Stop Centres for Addiction (OSCA) and new recovery centres under the Community Development and Intervention Centre (CDIC).
