By: Media and Corporate Communication Unit
TANJUNG BUNGAH, October 8, 2024 – The Director General of the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) met with district officers from Penang’s High-Risk Areas (HRA) for Drug Abuse on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by NADA Director General Dato’ Ruslin Jusoh, aimed to discuss the implementation and achievements of initiatives for reducing drug abuse in HRAs. It also focused on ensuring continuous monitoring by community leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government agencies so that the respective communities can promptly address risk factors before the situation in HRAs worsens.
The discussion also underlined the necessity of agency cooperation and support to guarantee that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MOHA) Pillar 3: Combating Drug Issues key performance indicators (KPIs) are satisfied.
The meeting, which was attended by 48 HRA District Officers, State NADA Directors, State NADA Assistant Directors, and District NADA Officers, also presented five briefing papers, including Controlled Drugs 2025; The Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024; and the Low-Risk Area (LRA) presentation.
Additionally, two other presentations were made regarding the transition of HRAs to LRA status, delivered by the State NADA offices of Pahang and Sarawak.
To ensure that this endeavour is maintained—especially for HRAs that have already attained LRA status—all parties must play a critical role in monitoring it.
This effort is followed by the establishment of Komuniti Sejahtera Committees at state, district, and community levels, each responsible for taking ownership and continuous action regarding HRAs.
The establishment of these committees ensures that communities remain safe and free from the risks of drug abuse, substance misuse, and social misbehaviour.
Also in attendance were NADA Deputy Director General (Operations), Tuan Khairul Anwar Bachok, NADA Prevention Division Director, Zainudin Abdullah, and NADA Treatment, Medication, and Rehabilitation Division Director, Siti Mariam Mursidan.
