KUCHING: A total of 567 drug enforcement operations were held in February.
These operations were estimated to successfully restrict 130,612 times the use of illicit drugs and substances, thereby saving 16,360 individuals for a one-month period in the state.
Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said the enforcement operations were able to stop the dealing of drugs and substances by confiscating the items and arresting their dealers.
Harden said this in a press conference on the One Stop Committee (OSC) monthly report on addressing drug and substance issues at Baitul Makmur II Building today.
He revealed that 640 cases involving 652 arrests were made by enforcement agencies related to drug and substance abuse as a result of the 567 enforcement operations in February.
“Of the total, 40 cases involving 75 arrests are the offence of supplying and distributing drugs and substances. Seven cases involving 14 arrests are under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he said.
According to Harden, 137 arrests made since January came under this section.
For the possession of drugs and substances, he added that there were 112 cases recorded involving 128 individuals, with a total of 337 arrests were made since January.
“For the offence of urine positive drug tests under Section 15 (1) (a), Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, a total of 488 cases involving 449 arrests were recorded in Sarawak in February this year.
A total of 865 arrests are recorded for the offence since January,” he explained.
Under the Drug Addicts (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 (Amendment 1998), the state recorded 105 cases involving 105 arrests.
This is the result of 60 operations conducted by the National Anti-Drug Agency Sarawak and the total number of the arrest since January is 178 arrests.
“Based on the statistics recorded, the challenge is to increase their treatment and rehabilitation interventions in institutions through court orders or voluntarily in the community so that those stuck with the substances can maintain recovery and social functioning in the community,” he said.
A total of 120 individuals are undergoing rehabilitation in institutions at Pusat Pemulihan Penagihan Narkotik (Puspen) Kuching and 2,010 more in the community in February.
“We also emphasise preventive action through evidence-based awareness, advocacy and screening programmes in educational institutions, the workplace, in the community and the family.
“In 2020, a total of 127 series of prevention programmes were implemented by the state and district OSCs. In 2021, a total of 160 series of programmes are planned,” he added.
“Therefore, I call on all sides to work together hand-in-hand in combating drug and substance abuse activities in Sarawak,” he concluded.
Also present were National Anti-Drug Agency Sarawak director Wan Madihi Wan Salleh, Sarawak Narcotic Crime Investigation Department ACP Jasmirol Jamaluddin, State Health Department senior assistant director Dr Asya’ Ari Arif and other senior officials.
