By: Nabila Rashid

KAJANG, December 5, 2023 – More than 200 people from 78 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) attended a Town Hall meeting with the Director General of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), Tuan Sutekno Ahmad Belon, at the National Anti-Drugs Agency Headquarters Auditorium, on Tuesday.

The NGOs that attended the programme are the NGOs that are active in drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services around the country.

It was held to strengthen collaboration between NADA and NGOs to ensure that NADA’s strategy and direction in efforts to treat, recover, prevent and enforce drug addiction laws can be fully implemented.

The Town Hall included a public discussion session with NADA, an exchange of opinions, sharing of information on the dangers of drugs, prevention and rehabilitation strategies, and initiatives to address the country’s drug misuse problem.

The programme was also used as a platform for the NGOs to share their experiences and challenges in implementing drug prevention, recovery, and support efforts for people affected by drug abuse.

Among the NGOs that participated in the session were the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF); Drug Free Malaysia; Pertubuhan Skuad Khidmat Bakti (PASKAM); Malaysian Substance Abuse Council (MASAC); Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia (Pengasih) and Pertubuhan Kumpulan Sokong Bantu Malaysia (KBSM).

In the Town Hall session, Tuan Sutekno invited all of the NGOs to share their ideas, views, experiences and challenges in implementing drug prevention and treatment initiatives as well as their efforts to support individuals affected by drug abuse.

“Malaysia is currently facing a worrying new situation in which the public has already normalised the drug problem and regards it as something common.

“Therefore, we gathered various NGOs from various corners of the country to hold a dialogue and discussion session to find the common ground in carrying out our respective duties and responsibilities.

“We hold this programme as a direct encounter with NGOs that NADA can take note of, look upon, and then act on,” he said during a Town Hall session with the Drug Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation NGOs here, on Tuesday.

The session was divided into two sessions, the NADA DG dialogue session with the Prevention NGOs in the morning and with the Treatment and Rehabilitation NGOs in the afternoon. Briefings from NADA representatives, representatives of the Malaysian Registration Organization (ROS) and the NGOs were also held for both sessions.

Meanwhile, Tuan Sutekno mentioned NADA’s willingness and openness to collaborate to mobilise NADA’s three core functions.

“I thank all of you for all of the opinions; we will take note and look at them.

“We will implement what we can immediately, or we will return to it in the next session,” he said.