PEMADAM Sarawak’s drug prevention programmes reaches almost 50,000 people

THE Sarawak branch of the Drug Prevention Association of Malaysia (PEMADAM) has conducted 98 programmes involving nearly 50,000 participants as of October this year.

Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the programmes focus on drug prevention education, community awareness and early intervention across various groups.

He said PEMADAM Sarawak will continue strengthening cooperation with government agencies, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities to expand its outreach.

“Our main objective is to safeguard the well-being of our communities from the harms of drug abuse,” he said.

He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the august House here today.

Abdul Karim, who is also PEMADAM Sarawak’s Chairman, said several initiatives were carried out in schools, including drug prevention programmes at SK Bokah in Lundu and MRSM Betong.

He said the association also organised the ‘Say No to Vaping and Drugs’ awareness and intervention programme at SMK St Joseph, Kuching, in July.

The ‘Must Fight Drugs Run 2026’, held at the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) in Lundu in May, attracted more than 1,000 participants.

Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the ministry’s ‘Belia Kasih Belia Sayang’ programme at Sekolah Tunas Bakti, Kuching, in June focused on practical skills, self-confidence and constructive activities.

Another initiative, the ‘Samasedia KASBA Sejiwa’ programme in Lundu, involved 70 youths aged 14 to 28, focusing on personal development, volunteerism and future planning.

He said PEMADAM Sarawak’s Women’s Bureau also organised empowerment training for recovering individuals in August, in collaboration with the Sarawak Women and Family Department and Koperasi MamaCare Sarawak Berhad.

Awareness activities were also conducted in Asajaya and Telang Usan in conjunction with Sarawak Women’s Day.

Additionally, 80 PEMADAM Sarawak Squad members attended the Malaysia MADANI Nationhood and Digital Communication course at Pusat Latihan Kenegaraan Sampadi in May.

The programme, organised with Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia, covered leadership, digital communication and the use of artificial intelligence.