KUALA LUMPUR: A minimum 80% successful rehabilitation rate of drug users is a reasonable target for the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said the agency has already achieved a 79% rate last year, thus the number should be improved further.
"They already achieved 79% thus setting a target of at least 80% should be reasonable.
"We want them to improve further so that the successful rehabilitation rate will continue to rise," he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the AADK i-DEEN programme on Tuesday (Aug 5).
The government will give the necessary support for the agency to achieve such a target, he added.
Saifuddin said the drug menace has been a problem for 40 years, thus the manner of drug users has also changed over the years.
"The method of managing them (during rehabilitation) also changed.
"Thus, I want AADK officers, including those at rehab centres, to have the level of knowledge in line with the changing times. For example, the effects of the use of synthetic drugs," he said.
Given the variety of clients they deal with, the officers should be equipped with sufficient knowledge as well as skills," Saifuddin said.
"Their clients vary in terms of addiction symptoms and magnitude.
"The officers should have the necessary expertise to manage them," he added.
