KUCHING, Sept 26: Sarawak has recorded 3,067 arrests for drug and substance abuse from June to Aug this year.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Community Wellbeing Development Deputy Minister Mohamad Razi Sitam stated that the arrests were made as a result of collaboration between the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) in which they carried out 2,009 integrated enforcement operations resulting in the seizure of 11.3 kilogrammes (kg) of drugs and compressed substances as well as 841 pills with an estimated value of RM714,944.
Razi mentioned that as a result of the seizure, it managed to prevent the use of drugs and prohibited substances 113,930 times and save 47,338 people within a month.
“During the same period, the Sarawak IP Criminal Investigation Department arrested ten people or 1.76 per cent.
“Meanwhile, 558 individuals were imprisoned for various drug and substance abuse offences.
“This shows a 200 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2021, which is a total of 186,” he said at the Mara Skills Institute (IKM) today during the opening ceremony of an anti-drug abuse programme.
He said that the Sarawak government is deeply concerned about drug and substance abuse, which is becoming increasingly contagious among the people, particularly the youth.
Furthermore, Razi explained that the government implemented several initiatives to address the problem to protect and improve the well-being of the people of Sarawak.
He added that, according to AADK’s findings, peer pressure is the primary cause of drug abuse.
“The truth is that our society’s drug problem will persist, and as a result, we cannot be careless, forgetful, or hopeless.
“We need to stay fit and strong and do everything we can to empower the youth to deal with the drug problem holistically,” he asserted. — DayakDaily
