SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO COMBAT DRUG MENACE

Shared responsibility to combat the drug menace, says Eric Menggatal:
It is time the public changes the common perception that combating
the drug menace rests solely with the authorities.

Sepanggar MP Eric Majimbun said it must be a shared responsibility
between the public and enforcement authorities.

"I see that normally the public would point their fingers at
enforcement authorities like the police when it comes to solving and
handling crime cases, including those related to drug abuse, in their
respective areas.

"We want the public to change this mindset. If we keep thinking that
accountability only lies with the enforcement authority, then when
will be the right time for the public to show their responsibility
and serve society?" he asked.

Hence, Eric said, it is time for them to join hands with the
authorities in fighting drug abuse.

He said this to reporters after closing an anti-drug abuse awareness
programme at a community centre here, Thursday.

The first programme was organised by Pemadam Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
to disseminate information and create awareness among community
leaders about drug problems in the city area and its negative impact
on society.

He added that the public, including community leaders, should work
together with the authorities in alerting them about the presence of
drug addicts and pushers in their areas for immediate action.

As for drug problems in his parliamentary area, Eric said, the
situation is under control as there are some neighbourhood watch (RT)
and Rela members in several villages like Kg Kalansanan and Kg Warisan.

He disclosed that a Rela office in Telipok would also be in operation
soon. Based on statistics from the Anti-Narcotics Agency from January
to May and January to July this year, Eric said there was an increase
of 56 new drug addicts from May to July.

"The January to May 2005 statistics showed that the total number of
drug addicts was 1,173 and from January to July, the number rose to 1,229.

"Hence, in just two months, there was an increase of 56 addicts which
means in average there would be 28 new drug addicts a month. Imagine
how many drug addicts in a yearA he answer would be 336 new drug
addicts," he said.

Meanwhile, City Hall Director-General-cum-Pemadam Bandaraya Kota
Kinabalu chairperson, Dr Chua Kim Hing, urged the public to keep
talking about drugs and its effects with family members and friends.

Stating this in his welcoming speech, he said actually the public
play an important role in preventing drug abuse by spreading
information they acquire from drug awareness programmes to their
families, friends, students and acquaintances.

Chua also suggested to the participants to set up their own unit of
Pemadam in small towns and villages like in Menggatal and Inanam that
will be headed by their community leaders.

He assured that Pemadam Bandaraya KK would give special orientation
and short courses to the chairperson and committee members of the
unit so that they would know how to organise such seminars and talks.

He also proposed that assemblymen or MPs become advisers or patrons
of the Pemadam units in their areas.