KUCHING: About 700 drug users here were placed under surveillance last year.
Kuching Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) deputy director Kartina Ujin said although the number was low compared to the city’s population, drug abuse cases were rising.
“In 2010, 500 or so drug users were under surveillance and in view of the increasing number last year, we are taking the matter seriously.
“Most of them were addicted to syabu and they obtained it from the black market,” she told journalists when flagging ‘Program Kembara — Sayangi 1Malaysia’ organised by the agency yesterday.
Kartina added that 90 per cent of drug users under surveillance were Bumiputera men.
“Those who are aged between 18 and 50 received treatment at the agency; some of them went to the rehabilitation centre.”
She said Program Kembara — the first of its kind this year — was meant to raise the community’s awareness on drug abuse.
“We have lots of programmes this year in reaching out to society, especially our youths.
“It is more on prevention to tell people to stay away from drugs, which will certainly help reduce social ills. It matters as well that parents pay close attention to their children to avert unhealthy habits.”
The four-day programme involves 50 participants from all walks of life, who will head to Pusa and Beladin.
It is jointly organised by the agency, 1Malaysia Squad, Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Sarawak, Health Department and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Health Clinic.
The programme aims to educate the public on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and encourage participants to combat drug abuse through volunteerism.