Our responsibility to stop drug menace, says DO

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KAPIT: Fighting the drug menace is the responsibility of all and not just the police, said Kapit district officer Elvis Didit, who is the chairman of Pemadam Kapit.

As such, he called on members of the public to cooperate with the police by reporting to them drug taking activities and telling their children and relatives about the dangers of drug abuse.

He also told them to support and appreciate the role of the police in addressing the issue.

“It’s our responsibility to stop the drug menace. We need the understanding, cooperation and support of the society to combat this menace. The police action in arresting drug addicts and pedlars, and seizing drugs must be appreciated and supported by all,” Elvis said at the Kapit Pemadam annual general meeting yesterday which was attended by heads of government departments, community leaders and members.

He regretted that parents would blame the police when their children were arrested for drug abuse.

“Such attitude is wrong. If the police don’t arrest them, how are we going to stop the drug menace?” he asked.

From statistics, he said 68 people were arrested for drug offences in the district from last year to this year, with 31 arrested during the first three months of this year. Most of the drugs seized, he said, was syabu.

On Pemadam, he said being a voluntary organisation it depended on donations from the public. Thus, he urged the ‘wakil rakyat’ and corporate bodies to donate to the organisation to enable it to organise awareness programmes on the danger of drug abuse.

He said among the activities planned by Pemadam Kapit this year were ‘Family and Community Free From Drug’ programme, visit to Sibu prison, longhouse adoption, ‘School Free From Drug’ programme, blood donation campaign, membership recruitment exercise and fundraising dinner.

Among those at the AGM were Pemadam Kapit deputy chairman Pemanca David Dian, vice chairmen Wilfred Billy Panyau and Wong Kie Ing, secretary Selmah Apang, members Penghulu Jampi Raweng, Penghulu Sallang Batang, Penghulu Nalong Daga, Penghulu Esit Nalo, Tuai Rumah Madang Jelaini, Tuai Rumah Meliyu, Tuai Rumah Rantai Sedin, Kapitan Yong Thu Fook and Inspector Jawie Hamata.