Stephen (fourth left) and National Anti Drugs Agency officials during the closing of the Anti-Drug Week program.
KOTA KINABALU: Drug abuse remains the country’s’s number one enemy and efforts must be taken to fight this addiction through continuous campaign, said Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing Stephen Wong Tien Fatt.
“Records from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) in 2017 showed there were 18,440 drug addicts and from the figure, 71.14 percent are new addicts,?he said at the closing of the Anti-Drug Week that was organised by the State Health Department at the State Museum here yesterday.
According to Wong, statistics from AADK revealed an average of 51 people will be involved in drug abuse each day.
“Repeated drug addicts were recorded at 7,482, with an average of 21 repeated drug addicts each day,” he said.
Wong said drug problem must be addressed urgently as it could threaten and jeopardise the future of our younger generation.
“Most of these drug addicts are our future generation who can contribute to the country’s economy and development in the future.
“Therefore, every party, including family, friends, schools, government agencies and no-government agencies must play their respective part in fighting and overcoming drug abuse,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Director of State Health Department (Medical) Dr William Gotulis, Deputy Director of State Health Department (Dentistry) Dr Lawrence Mah Hon Kheong, representative from the Sabah Education Department, Freddy Au, State Police Contingent Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division head DSP Mohd Hurriyatul Fikri Sairin Karno, representative from the State Museum, Lester Milip, National Anti Drugs Agency (Sabah) director Albert Tian, Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centre director Abdul Hamediee Ibrahim and representative from PEMADAM, Jossie Ansilmus.