SEPANG, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- Ongoing support from the community and the private sector is crucial in helping former clients of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) move on with their lives after leaving the rehabilitation centre, thus reducing the risk of relapse.
AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the lack of support after they leave, including difficulty finding jobs and social stigma, could cause former clients to lose self-confidence and give up.
Ruslin said exposure to vocational programmes while at the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN), in addition to external support after leaving, could help clients build self-confidence and move on with their lives in society.
"When they have a job and they are supported not only by employment institutions but also by family, society, and the stigma against them will be less.
"When they do not have (face) stigma against them, they have the confidence to continue living," he told Bernama and RTM after the 2026 New Life Inspiration Programme here, yesterday.
The programme was made possible through the collaboration of AADK and Boustead Holdings Bhd (Boustead) with 90 residents of Sepang PUSPEN.
Ruslin hopes that more parties will come forward to help provide a second chance to individuals involved in drug addiction because it is not the responsibility of AADK or the Home Ministry alone, but rather requires everyone's involvement.
"Clients who are in PUSPEN, will eventually leave. If we do not support them before they leave, they will go astray after this.
"With the hope that when we expose them to the outside world, especially the private sector, they will come to meet them, play sports with them, motivate them, God willing, when they come out, they will have a new hope," he said.
Meanwhile, Boustead group managing director Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said efforts to help AADK clients improve their skills can ensure that skilled human resources are fully utilised.
"For us at Boustead and Royale Chulan, the greater impact is to ensure that this human resource is fully utilised," he said.
He said the cost borne by the government in the effort to rehabilitate clients is large and if they can return to contribute as skilled workers, it can benefit the country.
"Every year we know that the costs incurred by the government are very large to rehabilitate all clients... So if we can use them as skilled workers in Malaysia, God willing, the country's aspiration to become a developed country can be achieved," he said.
-- BERNAMA