KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman will work with multiple agencies to curb drug addiction in the Felda settlements nationwide.

       Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more collaboration is in the works with agencies such as the Felda Youth Council, Felda Community Development Department the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).

       "Our focus will be on treatment and rehabilitation. However, we have to identify which addicts are new users or hardcore addicts,” said Comm Ayob.

       “New users will be sent to the AADK for rehabilitation while the police will detain the hardcore addicts before they could receive the necessary assistance," he added at a press conference in Bukit Aman on Thursday (March 3).

       Comm Ayob said that the multi-agency effort will be accompanied by more awareness campaign that will cover the settlements thoroughly.

       "As we all know, Felda settlements cover vast areas; it requires the joint cooperation of various agencies to ensure that all areas are covered. Such awareness campaigns have been done in the past but we aim to improve it even further with the coordinated effort of various agencies," he added.

       He said that the sharing of data between various agencies on drug users in Felda settlements is vital to ensure the success of the joint effort.

       "We will be able to identify more drug users and combat the menace effectively. We aim to start this multi-agency approach soon," he said.

       Comm Ayob said that the role of family members in relaying information on drug abuse affecting one of their kin to relevant agencies such as the AADK is also important.

       He also said that syabu and ketum are the most common drugs in Felda settlements.

       "The supplies come from outside the settlements. We also detect mobile drug dens in the settlements, whereby they often change locations to avoid detection," he said.