Out of 178 hotspots for illicit drugs in the country, seven are located in Sabah.

They are Merotai Tawau, Penampang, Menggatal, Karamunsing, Sandakan, Keningau and Beaufort.

To address the illicit drug problems, the National Anti-Drugs Agency has outlined six programmes to help the country combat drug abuse, said the agency’s director general Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Mohd Hussin at the launch of the state level ‘All Out Against Drugs’ campaign and Community Empowerment, officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at Yayasan Sabah yesterday.

The six programmes are Omnipresence, Ops Cegah, Ops Bersepadu, Ikon Anti-Dadah, dissemination by the media and community empowerment, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said an all-out war against illicit drugs must be waged to safeguard the future generations of Sabah.

He said it was not enough to rely on the National Anti-Drugs Agency to fight drug abuse and that everyone must play their role.

Citing cases of children killing their own parents and grandparents due to their involvement in drug abuse, Musa said these people become a liability instead of an asset.

He said it was because of this that war must be waged against illicit drugs.

“We want our children who are the future to become responsible individuals and assets to the country,” he said.

Musa said a new approach was necessary to ensure that the drug menace among teenagers could be reduced or even eliminated completely so that their future was not destroyed by drugs.

“Drugs is our country’s main enemy. In the Sabah state cabinet meeting, I have asked the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry to strive to find new ways to combat drugs all out.

“Why? I received information from time to time, many of our children are involved with drugs..there are (addicts) who are willing to kill their own family members because of drugs. For me this is very dangerous and we don’t want our children as future leaders to be destroyed,” he said.

However, Musa said the fight against drugs should involve all levels, among others, community leaders and non governmental organisations and not depend solely on the authorities, including the National Anti Drugs Agency.

“What is important is the ‘Community Empowerment’ approach or the empowerment of the community to create awareness on the role and responsibility of every community member in safeguarding their community entity from the drug problem and menace, he said.

He was confident that through the involvement and commitment of all parties, concerted efforts such as this could free the country from the drug threat and realise the goal of a drug-free Malaysia by 2020.

The event was also attended by Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Jenne Lajiun

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