Malaysians of multiple races need to unite and work together to curb drug addiction problem that is plaguing the country, said political secretary Irwan Zulkarnain Muhammad Hasbie.

Speaking at the Unity Community Programme hosted by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) at Kampung Semariang Batu here yesterday, the political secretary to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof stressed on the importance of community involvement in helping the government eradicate drug addiction.

“If the problem is not given due attention, the country we love will be destroyed in future. For a start, one can start by helping family members who have drug addiction problem by referring them to AADK,” he urged.

The agency, he said, has the expertise in conducting drugrehabilitation programmes for drug users and for this group to recover and reintegrate into the society.

While one should not ignore the social problems caused by the substance abuse, Irwan also called on for the community to not discriminate those struggling with or recovering from drug addiction but instead, to give them hope and support.

“I believe that such efforts require the commitment from the family members, community and leaders. It is not an easy task but is achievable with joint effort,” he said.

“I would like to call on the community out there to give them (the drug users) the second chance. Community care is the best for this AADK clients’ recovery process,” he added.

Held from Feb 3 to 5, the AADK Unity Community Programme at Kampung Semariang Batu was jointly organised by AADK, the Semariang Fishermen’s Cooperative Berhad and Kasba Youth.

The programme aimed to give the participants the opportunity to reintegrate into their family and community, while at the same time creating community awareness and understanding of the stigma that surrounds people who use the substances.

Also present was Sarawak AADK director Iskandar Turkee and other officials.