ASAJAYA — Over 200 students and community members participated in Kota Samarahan Municipal Council’s (MPKS) “Prevent Before It Gets Bad” anti-drug program at Sadong Jaya Heritage Hall on Saturday, featuring powerful testimonies and expert insights on substance abuse.
Students from SMK Asajaya, SMK Sadong Jaya, SMK Pesantren, and SMK Sadong Jaya Hilir engaged with exhibits detailing drug enforcement protocols and rehabilitation pathways. The event highlighted interagency collaboration with three critical presentations:
- Hospital Sentosa Kuching: “Mental Health Impacts of Drug Abuse”
- Malaysian Prisons Department: Rehabilitation challenges and reintegration programs
- PDRM Narcotics Division: Legal consequences and enforcement strategies
The emotional highlight featured a recovered addict’s testimony, illustrating redemption through perseverance and support systems. “His journey from darkness to becoming a peer counsellor moved many to tears,” noted MPKS Community Affairs Officer Helena Johari.
MPKS Chairman Dato Abang Ismawi emphasized rural vulnerability: “Sadong Jaya’s riverine geography makes it susceptible to drug trafficking. Education is our first defense.” The council will expand the program to 10 villages following a 40% increase in youth drug-related arrests across Samarahan Division since 2023.
Attendees received resource kits containing hotline numbers for the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and community support groups. A follow-up workshop for teachers is scheduled for August 2025.
