SIBU – The Sarawak Government has announced plans to establish two new Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centers (PUSPEN) in Sibu and Miri to address the growing need for drug treatment services across the state.
Deputy Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam revealed that the existing facility in Kuching, with a capacity of approximately 250 individuals, is insufficient to serve addicts from regions including Limbang, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit, and Sri Aman.
Speaking after officiating the closing ceremony of the Sarawak State Drug Rehabilitation Committee’s Training of Trainers program, Datuk Mohammad Razi confirmed that sites for the proposed centres have already been identified.
The Sibu facility would serve the central zone, while Miri would cover the northern zone. The Deputy Minister urged the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to include the proposal in its upcoming expenditure budget.
In addition to rehabilitation, PUSPEN centres provide skills training in fields such as carpentry, electrical work, and air conditioning to help former addicts achieve financial independence.
Datuk Mohammad Razi also highlighted a significant challenge in drug recovery efforts: a critical shortage of AADK personnel at the divisional level, where some offices operate with only two or three officers.
He appealed to the federal government and the Public Service Department (JPA) to approve additional staffing to strengthen these initiatives.
The state government further supports reintegration through programs like the Low Income Family Empowerment (LIFE) initiative, which offers grants to help former addicts rebuild their lives.