WEEDING OUT: Agency frustrated over private firms’ response
KUALA LUMPUR: ONLY a handful of private corporations are willing to allow drug-busters through their doors, to weed out abusers under their payroll.
Frustrated by the unwillingness of these companies to assist in efforts to arrest the escalating problem of drug abuse, the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) is now considering the hard approach and using its provision, to act proactively.
This could lead to Nada carrying out random raids at these companies, especially those dealing directly with the public, including those in the public transportation business.
It is provisioned to do so under the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.
Nada director-general Suhaimi Abdullah told the New Straits Times that to date, no companies except for a few listed ones, including whose hands, the public put their security and safety in, had bothered to get their employees checked for drug abuse.
Hoping that more companies changed their lackadaisical attitude, he said this was crucial as many involved in criminal cases were found to be users of illicit substances.
He said the companies had no excuse against cooperating and helping with this part of the national anti-drug abuse campaign, as Nada would carry out the checks, free of charge.
“The agency welcomes any organisation or company to seek our help in conducting anti-drug exercises, including urine tests and rehabilitation.
“Nada has cooperated with other law enforcement agencies, including the Road Transport Department, to conduct checks during their operations.
“Only government have agencies voluntarily asked us to come in, including to help them in their pre-employment screening … The rest, except for a few big corporations, do not seem to be bothered to want to know or do something about their employees who could be abusing illicit substances.”
It was revealed among those who chose to turn a blind eye on their employees state of body and mind, included some security service providers, express bus operators as well as business set-ups which deal children.
“Nada has been using persuasion to get cooperation because we understand that image is everything and having our officers knocking on business premises’ doors, does not go down well with many,” said Suhaimi.
Nada, he added, guaranteed confidentiality for drug abuse checks it carried out upon request. They, however, could not guarantee the same if it had to resort to raids.
Suhaimi said Nada would without fear or favour carry out raids even if it meant they were big corporations.
His men are protected under Section 25 of the act, which underlines the “protection of persons acting under authority of this act”.
He said for companies to get Nada to come in and help screen their staff, they only needed to write in to the respective agency’s state director to set the time and place and added that it is was also crucial for planned screenings to be kept confidential so that the employees targeted would not try to cheat their way through, including swapping urine samples or being absent.
Suhaimi, who is a month into his post as Nada head, said test results would be ready on the spot, and only those tested positive would have their urine samples sent to a government hospital’s pathology department, for further tests and confirmation.
He said for employees who tested positive for drugs, Nada could opt to recommend for them to be charged in court to get them to undergo rehabilitation at its Cure and Care Rehabilitation Centres or have them put under supervision.
Nada he said would be more linient with those picked up from voluntary checks, with them sent for counselling and treatment at their Cure and Care Clinics. At the same time, the employers concerned could also take disciplinary action against the employees.
He said those interested to help their employees with drug addiction problems could contact the agency at 03-89112494 or visit its website www.adk.gov.my.
-NST
