The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) has clarified that there are only 1,141 persons with disabilities currently undergoing rehabilitation for drug addiction at its facilities as well as in-community.
The figure is significantly lower than a previously reported number of 70,000 disabled drug addicts, which was based on Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah's answer in Parliament on Monday.
"As of March 20, in total there are 70,000 clients undergoing treatment and recovery at AADK institutions and in-community.
"From the figure, there are 1,056 disabled persons receiving treatment in-community, while the remaining 85 are in admission at AADK institutions," an agency spokesperson said.
On Monday, Langkawi MP Suhaimi Abdullah, in a supplementary question to Shamsul, inquired on the number of persons with disabilities who are in recovery for drug addiction at AADK institutions.
According to the official Hansard, Shamsul said: "In total, there are 70,000 individuals involved in treatment under AADK, whether in institutions or in-community.
"Under AADK's management of its facilities, as I said earlier, there are 85 people," he said.
Shamsul's response neither mentioned the 1,141 figure for disabled addicts, nor the fact that the 70,000 individuals in treatment also comprise able-bodied.
Yesterday, Senator Isaiah Jacob said the initial figure given by Shamsul was both surprising and confusing.
An aide to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Malaysiakini today that he had contacted Isaiah to clarify the confusion. - Mkini
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