MTMD Malacca passed 1st round (TEKAD)

By: Mohd Nadmin Ramlan

AYER KEROH, 23 September 2022 – Melaka State Anti-Drug Action Council (MTMD) has approved on the proposed idea during their the 1^stmeeting in 2022 on the implementation of the Tempat Kerja Bebas Dadah (TEKAD) in Government departments and agencies throughout the State of Malacca.

The approval has open doors and implementation of TEKAD will commence in phases, a total of 21 State Government Departments, including local authorities (PBT) and 54 Federal Government Departments in the State of Melaka will undergo the process from 2022 till 2025.

MTMD Melaka aims to lessen and minimize the harmful effect caused by drug abuse and hopefully achieved a healthy and safe environment while increasing employee productivity in the workplace with the implementation from TEKAD.

Furthermore, TEKAD can act as a beacon for the State of Melaka to mobilize public sector workers as anti-drug agents within the community and among family members.

Melaka State NADA Director, Wan Madihi Wan Salleh (second from right) when presenting the proposed paper for the implementation of Drug Free Workplaces (TEKAD) to Government agencies and departments throughout the State of Melaka. – Photo by NADA / Rashdan Zakaria

The Chief Minister of Melaka, YAB Datuk Seri Utama Haji Sulaiman bin Md Ali, presided over the MTMD Meeting No. 1/2022 which emphasized the importance of learning preventive education that start as early in primary school level earlier that day.

YAB Chairman called for the Melaka State Department of Education and the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) to work together to create an initiative that is well structured in terms of anti-drug awareness and prevention programs among school students throughout the State of Malacca.

MTMD discussed the statistics arrests and drug distribution in the State of Melaka presented by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the scenario of drug and substance abuse presented by the National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA).

Moreover, both parties conducted a presentation showcasing their finding.

The parties were from the Melaka State Department of Education on strengthening the Drug Prevention Program (PPDa) in the State of Melaka and the Melaka State Health Department on current Addiction Trends ‘Synthetic Drugs’.

Also present were Melaka State Government Secretary, Datuk Wira Zaidi Johari, Melaka State Health and Anti-Drug EXCO, Dr Muhamamad Akmal Saleh, Deputy Director General (Operations), Dato’ Dr Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin and Melaka State NADA Director; Wan Madihi Wan Salleh.