Nada: 50,000 undergoing rehab at home, 5,100 in Puspen centres
Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said another 5,100 clients are receiving treatment at 28 Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen) across the country.
"There are currently 28 Puspen operating nationwide, housing over 5,000 clients undergoing rehabilitation.
"Two other centres are not in operation at the moment as they are undergoing renovations," he told reporters after attending the state-level Kelantan Drug Eradication Action Council meeting here today.
Ruslin said 98.2 per cent of Puspen trainees are Malays, while the rest are Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic groups.
He added that 3.2 per cent of the clients are women, with the remainder being men.
In Kelantan, he said that there are three rehabilitation centres located in Bachok, Jeli, and Kota Baru, housing nearly 500 trainees.
Ruslin said Nada continues to encourage individuals struggling with drug addiction to seek treatment voluntarily.
"Early treatment can lead to early recovery.
"Even at the federal level, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh is spearheading campaigns to encourage young people to come forward for treatment voluntarily," he said.
He acknowledged that some drug users may be reluctant to seek help due to misinformation.
"Some fear treatment because they've heard it takes up to two years, but that's not true.
"If a person recovers quickly, we can release them earlier.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Weight rebounds quickly after stopping anti-obesity jabs
GLP-1 receptor agonists, which form the recent popular weight-loss medications, make you feel full for longer, but the effect appears to wear off rather quickly once the drugs are stopped. — AFP Doctors around the world have been hailing recent 'miracle' medications that make weight loss far easier, but new research suggests that after a person stops taking some of these drugs, the weight tends to increase again rather quickly. People who received these medications lost significant weight during the therapy, and this even continued to a small extent for a few weeks after stopping the drugs, according to a research team led by Dr Wu Han and Dr Yang Wenjia from the Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing, China. However, from the eighth week after the end of therapy, the researchers said that there was a marked weight gain that persisted for many weeks. The extent of weight gain varies depending on the medication and lifestyle changes, according to the study, but there is a clear trend towards weight gain after stopping the drugs. This confirms existing findings, according to Association of Catholic Clinics chief physician for diabetology and West German Diabetes and Health Centre director Dr Stephan Martin in Dusseldorf, Germany. He said that some manufacturers of the medications had also demonstrated this themselves through randomised studies. Test subjects in the studies were given the active substances for 10 weeks, after which some were switched to a placebo. This group 'then continuously regained weight', Dr Martin reported. ALSO READ: Stop the drugs and regain the weight In the current study, the Chinese researchers also referred to an investigation in which people who had completed a 36-week treatment with the active substance tirzepatide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) regained about half of the weight they had previously lost within a year of switching to a placebo. The newly-published meta-analysis summarised the results of 11 independent studies from around the world, including those on the drug orlistat, the combinations naltrexone/bupropion and phentermine/topiramate, as well as the group of GLP-1 receptor agonists. The data came from a total of 1,574 people in treatment groups and 893 in control groups. GLP-1 receptor agonists are included in the recent popular anti-obesity medications. In some countries, they are approved for type 2 diabetes and some cases of obesity, and they are known as lifestyle drugs for achieving a slim figure. These active substances, which are injected regularly, primarily prolong the time food stays in the digestive tract, thereby increasing the feeling of satiety. Side effects include gastrointestinal complaints. One aspect of the study stands out: Those who initially experienced significant weight loss during therapy tended to regain more weight afterwards, even if they participated in programmes to change their lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits. 'This does not surprise me,' says professor of behavioural medicine Dr Anja Hilbert at Germany's Leipzig University Hospital. Similar experiences are seen, for example, in people who follow a very low-calorie diet – they also tend to regain more weight after the diet ends than those who undergo moderate calorie limits. However, Prof Hilbert noted that there were only a few participants for this aspect of the study. 'The results of the study actually suggest that long-term, perhaps even lifelong use of the medication may be necessary to stabilise weight,' she says. 'It is a long-term therapy,' Dr Martin emphasises. Anyone who believes they can lose weight with this therapy and then everything will be fine is mistaken. 'You need this therapy permanently,' he says. Some in the American healthcare system have raised concerns that many people may be unaware of this or may not accept it. According to studies, two-thirds of people treated for obesity – most of whom pay for the treatment themselves – stopped using the medication within a year. 'We don't know why: Maybe it becomes too expensive, maybe they have lost enough weight and believe it will now stay off,' says Dr Martin, who advocates for more overweight prevention rather than treating the consequences. – By Simone Andrea Mayer/dpa
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
More Bruneians stop smoking, engage in sports
FILE PHOTO: Chinese Wushu coach Lihui (back), who serves as the coach of the first-ever Brunei national Wushu team, guides a student at a stadium in Brunei capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, on Nov. 16, 2018. The participation of Bruneians in physical activity has increased by 8.4 per cent compared to 2022-2024. - Xinhua BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: More Bruneians have stopped smoking and are actively involved in sports, a government minister has said on Tuesday (Aug 5). Based on the latest findings of the National Health and Nutritional Status Survey 2022-2023, the smoking rate among the population has shown a decrease of 19.9 per cent to 13.4 per cent in adults, while the participation of the population in physical activity increased by 8.4 per cent, Minister of Health Md Isham Jaafar said at the legislative council. He said Brunei's Ministry of Health has outlined three national performance indicators, namely increased life expectancy, reduction in premature death rates due to non-communicable diseases, and community participation in health activities, for the implementation of Brunei Vision 2035. Priority has been given to the strengthening of health infrastructure and digital capabilities. He said the emphasis is on early prevention, regular screening, and more systematic chronic disease management. In addition, access to early screening services for major diseases such as cervical cancer and breast cancer has been enhanced. - Xinhua
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Beauty secrets passed down
THERE is an overflow of high-tech skincare and TikTok beauty trends right now. It is easy to forget that some of the most effective beauty rituals do not come from a lab, but from our grandmothers' kitchens. Across generations and continents, natural remedies using humble ingredients have stood the test of time. Many of these traditions are backed by science and adored by modern beauty lovers for their affordability and results. Here is a closer look at seven beloved beauty hacks that continue to glow in the age of serums and sheet masks. Turmeric If there is one ingredient that truly embodies ancient beauty wisdom, it is turmeric. Used in South Asian cultures for centuries, this golden spice is known not only for its medicinal properties but also for its skin-loving benefits. Traditionally, brides in India and Sri Lanka undergo a haldi ceremony, where turmeric paste is applied to their skin before the wedding to give them a natural glow. Packed with curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory, turmeric helps reduce acne and brighten dull skin. Mix a pinch of turmeric with plain yogurt or honey to make a quick face mask. Leave it on for 10 minutes but be warned, too much turmeric can leave a yellow tint, so go light. Rice water Long before toners came in sleek bottles, East Asian women were rinsing their faces and hair with rice water. In Japan and Korea, rice water was known as the secret to luminous skin even women in the imperial courts used it. Rice water is rich in amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins B and E, all of which help brighten and soften the skin. Soak a half cup of rice in two cups of water for 30 minutes, strain it and use the water as a facial rinse or toner. It keeps well in the fridge for up to five days. Coconut oil Coconut oil has been used for centuries in tropical cultures not just for cooking, but also for nourishing hair and skin. In many parts of South India and Southeast Asia, it is a weekly ritual to massage warm coconut oil into the scalp for glossy, healthy hair. Its antibacterial and moisturising properties also make it a brilliant skin salve and makeup remover. Use cold-pressed coconut oil as an overnight hair mask or rub a small amount into dry elbows, heels and cuticles. For dry skin days, a pea-sized amount works wonders on the face too. Chickpea flour In Indian households, chickpea flour is used not only in cooking but also in beauty rituals. When mixed with ingredients such as turmeric, milk or lemon juice, it becomes a powerful exfoliant that cleanses the skin and controls excess oil. Used by generations of South Asian women, especially during traditional bridal prep, this is a must-try for anyone looking to smooth and brighten their complexion naturally. Mix two tablespoons of chickpea flour with a pinch of turmeric and enough milk or rose water to form a paste. Apply to the face and let it dry before gently rinsing off with warm water. Aloe vera Aloe vera is the go-to remedy for sunburns, but its benefits go far beyond just soothing inflamed skin. Used in African, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures for centuries, fresh aloe gel is packed with vitamins, enzymes and hydration. It is ideal for treating acne and cooling irritated skin especially during hot, humid months. Scoop the gel straight from a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply it to clean skin. Store the gel in the fridge for an extra-cooling effect on sizzling hot days. Rose water Few things feel as luxurious and timeless as rose water. Used widely across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, rose water has been treasured for its hydrating and calming properties. It reduces redness and adds a gentle floral fragrance. It is also spiritually tied to ritual cleansing and self-care. Use it as a facial mist throughout the day or pour a little onto a cotton pad to tone the skin after cleansing. Cucumber cools tired eyes, reducing puffiness and adding instant freshness. – PEXELSPIC Cucumber There is a reason spa advertisements always show cucumber slices over the eyes. Packed with water and vitamin C, cucumbers are cooling and anti-inflammatory, making them great for de-puffing swollen eyes and refreshing tired skin. Slice a chilled cucumber and place two slices over your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. It is a simple trick that instantly refreshes especially after a late night or a long day in front of screens. These time-honoured remedies remind us that the simplest solutions often come from nature. Often, the best beauty rituals are rooted in care and patience.
