Saifuddin targets 75% recovery rate at drug rehab centres

 

A report last year said about 36,000 drug addicts were undergoing programmes at AADK’s rehabilitation centres. (Bernama pic)

KAJANG: The home ministry wants the National Anti-Drugs Agency’s (AADK) rehabilitation centres to build on their 70% recovery rate among drug addicts from January to November last year.

Its minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, said the ministry has set a 75% recovery rate target for this year.

“The previous target was only 35%. However, AADK has achieved more than double the figure last year,” he said at a press conference at AADK’s headquarters here today.

“Hence, setting a target of 75% would not be impossible.”

It was reported last year that there were 130,000 drug addicts in the country, and about 36,000 were undergoing rehabilitation programmes at AADK’s rehabilitation centres.

Saifuddin also praised the agency for its outreach programme which allows the agency to collect in-depth data on drug users.

He said the data consisted of an individual’s background and personal information involving their family, occupation and salary.

Asked which state has the highest number of drug users, Saifuddin said the issue should be looked at from a national perspective.

“Although I have the breakdown for each state, we should look at this as a national problem. I refuse to discriminate,” he said. - FMT