PENAMPANG: Sept 22, 2026 — Parents, community leaders and religious institutions play an important role in guiding young people facing drug problems.
Sabah Minister of Women, Health and People’s Well-being Datuk Julita Majungki said drug prevention requires early intervention and a collective effort to ensure at-risk youths receive guidance before their problems become more serious.
“We need to reach out to them, guide them, advise them and involve them in activities that can build their self-confidence and ensure they fill their time with positive things, instead of merely punishing them,” she said.
She said this when officiating the Jom Sihat, Jom Bebas Dadah programme at Penampang district level at Buhavan Square, Donggongon, today.
According to her, guidance can start at home with parents making an effort to communicate and spend time with their children.
“Sometimes, simple things such as having dinner together can create such opportunities. When we sit and eat together, put aside our phones and talk with our children, we can find out what they are going through,” she said.
She stressed that young people and their families should not be left to face the problem alone.
“If necessary, we should reach out to them, provide advice and support, and report the matter to the authorities,” she said.
The state government, through the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM), the Healthy Community, Nation Builder (KOSPEN) programme and other stakeholders, continues to carry out drug prevention and awareness efforts.
However, Julita, who is also Sabah PEMADAM chairman, said continuous intervention at the grassroots level is much needed, with the involvement of the government, families and the community to strengthen drug prevention.
