Miri MTMD’s Anti-Drug Strategy: Cross-Agency Efforts to Protect Youth Well-being

(Miri, 4th) – The first 2025 meeting of the Miri District Drug Prevention Action Committee (MTMD) was held this morning at the Sarawak Islamic Complex. The session was chaired by Miri District Office representative Edward Dawang, with 35 representatives from various government departments, enforcement agencies, and NGOs in attendance to jointly discuss anti-drug strategies.

Edward Dawang pointed out that the drug issue cuts across age, ethnicity, and social strata, and remains the nation’s number one enemy. In particular, the recent emergence of “vape mushroom” (vape mushroom) products containing hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin poses a serious threat to the mental health of teenagers and children.

"Drugs not only endanger national security and public health, but also erode social structures and economic stability. Only through cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration can we respond effectively."

The meeting emphasized that the local-level MTMD bears a key role in coordinating various agencies and the community to ensure that national policies and strategies are effectively implemented at the district level.

The meeting agenda included a presentation by the Subis Education Department on the “Drug Prevention Education and Character Development Program,” enforcement and arrest statistics from the Miri and Marudi Police Narcotics Crime Units, a report from the Miri Customs on drug smuggling trends and enforcement efforts, and performance statistics on counselling and rehabilitation from the Miri branch of the National Anti-Drug Agency.

Encouraging Community Participation to Build a Drug-Free Environment

Edward called on all units to strengthen cooperation with the community, mobilizing grassroots leaders, parent groups, NGOs, and schools to share the responsibility of drug prevention. He emphasized that enforcement and treatment alone are not enough to eradicate the drug problem; efforts must also start from education, family, religion, culture, and youth activities to build a comprehensive national defense.

"The drug issue is not the responsibility of any single agency but a common task for all people. Only through full community mobilization can we effectively eliminate the drug threat."

The meeting, with Rosmah, Head of the Miri branch of the National Anti-Drug Agency, serving as the secretariat, continued with the agenda, integrating suggestions from all parties to formulate concrete action plans.