KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) has approved a sum of RM1.73 million to the Sabah Youth Council to hold youth empowerment programmes and drug abuse awareness campaigns, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Hajiji, who is also Sabah MTMD chairman, said this was in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap objective, which is the development of human capital, adding that youths are an important asset for the state.
“I also hope that the programmes would be coordinated with the State Youth and Sports Ministry and the Sabah National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK),” he said in a statement after chairing Sabah MTMD’s first meeting this year at Menara Kinabalu here today.
The chief minister said a total of RM464,000 was also approved for Sabah AADK to conduct public awareness campaigns through billboard advertising in 32 localities throughout the state.
Meanwhile, Hajiji reiterated that all district officers appointed as coordinators of high-risk areas at the district level must ensure their districts progress to green areas free from drug abuse activities.
“As the district MTMD chairman, district officers must take action to eradicate the drug menace in their respective areas. Drug abuse has remained the country’s number one menace. We will continue to focus our efforts to eradicate this social ill,” he said.
He said the Likas area had been declared a green area in 2021 following a directive for the relevant authorities to take proactive actions to free it from drug abuse activities and all efforts are being done to ensure it stays as a green area. – Bernama, April 21, 2022
