KUCHING: A courtesy visit by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Malaysia to the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development has strengthened the strategic cooperation between the two parties in efforts to comprehensively tackle the issue of drug abuse.

Its Minister, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the meeting opened up a space for her ministry to share Sarawak's approach in tackling the problem of drugs and illicit substances through the One Stop Committee (OSC) mechanism.

“Today, the ministry has invited all strategic partners who are members of the One Stop Committee (OSC) to jointly address the issue of drugs and illicit substances in a holistic and balanced manner.

“This approach includes efforts to cut off supply, reduce demand, implement recovery and strengthen advocacy in addition to helping those who have recovered to become independent and return to regular society,” she said.

She said this when met by reporters during a courtesy call from UNODC Malaysia Country Head, Eric Van Der Veen, at her office on Friday.

Dato Sri Fatimah added that Sarawak emphasises a balance between enforcement, prevention, rehabilitation and advocacy so that those who have recovered can become independent and function again in society.

Meanwhile, Eric Van Der Veen said that UNODC would like to see first-hand Sarawak’s approach implemented under the leadership of the state government in preventing and treating drug abuse.

He said, UNODC also expressed its readiness to support Sarawak in training capacity, the development of international-standard prevention modules and the construction of a global technical network to strengthen the effectiveness of existing interventions. -UKASnews

Reporter: Betrice Britney Dee
Translator: Nerissa Sia
Photographer: Betrice Britney Dee