SIBU: Community leaders need to step up to the plate to help address the pressing drug and substance abuse cases in Sarawak.
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah highlighted the role of the One-Stop Committee (OSC) at the grassroots level in addressing drug and substance abuse issues. She urged its leaders to provide information to the police.
She emphasised the need for OSC leaders to report drug-related activities in their communities without fear.
"Drug is still the number one enemy of the country," said the Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister at a Sibu District Drug-Free Action Plan workshop on Wednesday (June 19).
She said 11,470 arrests in cases related to drugs were made in the state last year. Kuching has the highest arrest rate, with 2,674, followed by Sibu, 1,280, and Miri, 1,277.
“We must tackle the issue at the grassroots level. We also need to ensure awareness of the danger of drugs continuously. We might not be able to achieve a total drug-free community, but at least we have to lessen it," said the Dalat assemblyman.
She also suggested the rehabilitation of individuals and the provision of business grants to help them generate income and stay away from drugs.
