| Personality | ||
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Friday, 12 February 2010 10:27
Last updated on Thursday, 18 February 2010 20:19
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| More Drug Cases with Growth in Population |
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The abuse of drugs by those who are out to get some 'quick fix' without considering the dangers behind such an act has forced the government to come out with various campaigns and legislation to curb this menace.
The Director-General for National Anti Drugs Agency (AADK) Datuk Abd Bakir Zin said the addiction and abuse of drugs is increasing with each year due to the population growth and increase in the number of people with low education level.
He said this group usually earn their living by working as labourers, fishermen and plantation workers. "They are easily influenced and are exposed to negative elements including the introduction to illicit drugs by their peers or older people," Abd Bakir said.
Abd Bakir said in the effort to curb drug abuse, the authorities have implemented various measures including the enforcement of the law.
"Apart from the law such as the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, AADK had handed over the draft on the Intoxicating Substances Bill to the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) last year and hope the draft would turn into an Act this year," he said.
If passed by Parliament, the Act will specifically deal with the act of sniffing intoxicating susbtances such as glue, previously not considered as an offence under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Asked on the number of drug addicts in the country, Abd Bakir said the figure has reached 40,247 covering those registered with the authorities and also the addicts handed over to the AADK for rehabilitation.
"In 2008, the number of addicts with the agency were 12,500," he said.
On the increase in the number of addicts, he said this is due to the large-scale integrated operations held by the AADK and other agencies.
"The addicts will be admitted to the Narcotic Addicts Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) on the recommendation of the medical officer who screened them," he said. Abd Bakir said there are 29 Puspen natiowide including that specifically for juvenile, women and ATS addicts.
"The treatment period for each addict ranges between six months and two years according to the severity of the addiction and this is also determined by the medical officer in charge," he said.
On another development, he said the AADK also organised various skills training programmes for reformed addicts from Puspen. The programmes are being held at the Sepang Skills and Training Institute (Ikhlas). Among the courses on offer are electrical, building construction, landscaping and various short-term courses," he said.
Abd Bakir also said AADK has not discarded its social responsibility by providing advice for the setting up of 'Rumah Komuniti' (Community House) in certain districts.
He said the Community House is a district service centre set up by the AADK to provide counselling and assistance to families with drug abuse-related problems that involved their children.
"The only difference is that the house is built by the community there and it functions as a temporary shelter for reformed addicts before they return to the society," he said.
Abd Bakir said each reformed addict would be allowed to stay at the house for six months before going out to earn a living on his own.
"AADK does not discard its responsibility after the addicts were discharged by Puspen. We conduct monitoring from six months up to two years for each addict and only after that would they be allowed to be on their own," he added. |
