By: Media Corporate Communication Unit

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7, 2024 – Another new service channel of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA), namely the NADA Tele-Hello Hotline, was launched in conjunction to the NADA Open Day 2024.

The channel serves to provide advocacy and counselling services related to drug addiction issues online.

According to the Director of the Treatment, Medication, and Rehabilitation Division of NADA, Siti Mariam Mursidan, the service was introduced by NADA in 2020 after the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which limited access to physical treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

She mentioned that the channel was introduced to provide early advocacy, counselling sessions, advice and other services to the addicts, family, and community.

“Until today there are 42 NADA officers with some of them are certified counsellors who have been appointed as facilitators nationwide who are always ready to provide those services,” she said.

She delivered the information during an interview in conjunction with the NADA Open Day 2024 Programme inaugurated by Member of Bandar Tun Razak Parliament, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN) in Sungai Besi, here, on Tuesday.

Also present were the Minister of Home Affairs, YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Chief Secretary of MOHA, Datuk Ruji Ubi; Deputy Chief Secretary (Security) of MOHA, Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman and the Deputy Director-General (Management) of NADA, Mrs. Shobah Jamil.

Earlier, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah also launched the NADA Tele-Hello Hotline, and Therapy Room, and witnessed the launch of the new NADA District Office and Community Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre.

Meanwhile, Siti Mariam said, the purpose of the programme is to spread information and exposure related to the treatment and rehabilitation services provided by NADA.

She explained that it is also a way to enhance collaborative efforts with government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local communities in carrying out prevention, and treatment and rehabilitation activities for drug addiction in the community.

“The theme of the NADA Open Day 2024 is ‘Insan Madani Pemangkin Kepulihan’, which was very appropriate with the hope of families, communities, and every individual to play a direct role in strengthening efforts in drug treatment and recovery,” she said.

Other than that, she also mentioned that alongside the efforts, NADA is also intensifying efforts to promote voluntary drug treatment and rehabilitation. According to the statistics in 2023, a total of 961 voluntary clients underwent treatment and rehabilitation in institutions, and 1,499 voluntary clients underwent treatment and rehabilitation in the community.

This number is very small compared to clients undergoing mandatory treatment and rehabilitation programmes, namely 8,958 people in PUSPEN and 63,873 people in the community,” she said.