ALOR GAJAH, March 28 — The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) will never compromise with elements of abuse, mistreatment, and bullying by operators of private drug rehabilitation centres (PPDP) throughout their clients’ rehabilitation process.
Its director-general Sutekno Ahmad Belon said that although the PPDPs used their own methods in their recovery curriculum, it does not mean they can violate regulations set under the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983.
“Generally, AADK will not protect any PPDP registered under this Act, and if elements of bullying, abuse, or mistreatment exist, it means that centre is not for rehabilitation because it does not meet the criteria,” he told the press after the AADK Jamai’e Iftar programme at the Tampin Narcotics Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN) in Pulau Sebang yesterday.
Sutekno was commenting on the recent abuse case of residents at the Eagle Land 1 PDPP in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, which went viral on social media and is now under police investigation.
He said that although AADK sets minimum standards that must be followed by over 60 PPDP operators nationwide, it only involves aspects of facilities, amenities, accommodation, and client welfare.
“For the recovery methods, we do not standardise them as there are various approaches and it would not be fair for us to do so, because then it would be construed as the government wanting to interfere.
“If the method used is too harsh or abusive, we will ask them to remove it from the curriculum. If the method seems harsh in terms of discipline, but the clients are willing to accept it and do not perceive it as abuse, then we have no issue,” Sutekno said.
He added that in instances of violations or if operators cannot comply with the stipulated minimum standards after reminders are given based on inspections, monitoring and audits conducted by the state AADK and the headquarters, following which appropriate action will be taken, including cancelling the registration of the PPDP.
Regarding the issue at the Eagle Land 1 PPDP, Sutekno said AADK will issue a reminder to the PPDP soon due to violations of minimum standards for operating a drug rehabilitation centre.
“AADK will give the management a 14-day grace period for the restructuring of the recovery centre to comply with the minimum operational standards to avoid facing closure.
“This is following inspections which found that the centre did not meet the minimum standards set for PPDP, especially in terms of accommodation, user capacity, and space for activities,” he said.
— Bernama
