Latest news with #NarcoticsAddictionRehabilitationCentres
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Zahid: Drug rehab modules to include TVET
SEPANG: The Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (Puspen) must revamp their education modules to include Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Puspen needed to break away from conventional modules and equip clients with valuable skills to ease their reintegration into society. "As the chairman of the National TVET Council, I would like to suggest that we transform all the educational modules at every Puspen into TVET to provide our clients with high-growth and high-value training," he said in his speech during an official visit to Puspen Dengkil. "Previously, the Prisons Department also had the same modules — plantation, sewing — but that is conventional. "Times have changed, which is why we need to change to TVET. "I will help the National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) and Puspen," he said, adding that he would find the allocations to implement such modules. TVET is also a route to break the cycle of poverty among addicts, he said. Zahid said he would engage with SME Corp to help Puspen clients who wished to venture into entrepreneurship. "Don't give Puspen the connotation that it's a punishment or treatment centre. It's actually a house of hope," he told Puspen clients. Zahid also voiced his support for psychospiritual rehabilitation and urged spiritual leaders from different religions to be involved in Puspen's rehabilitation programmes. Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, as the ministry facilitated the opening of a gym at Puspen Dengkil. Zahid urged private companies or gym owners who wished to replace their equipment to consider donating it to the government. "We will refurbish it and improve it according to the specifications," he said. He also called on society to be kinder to former addicts, saying this was crucial to breaking the cycle of addiction and drug use. "We need to conduct engagements with family members so that we can come up with a module that will open their hearts to accept them. "Communities must break the wall of stigma. "Neighbours or neighbourhood chairpersons, the village head, or members of suraus and mosques play a part in accepting our former clients, not hating them. "Insya-Allah they will be better people," Zahid said. As at July 2025, 57,266 clients had been admitted to Puspen centres nationwide, said Nada director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh. Of this total, 51,442 were undergoing community-based rehabilitation, while 5,825 were under institutional rehabilitation.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
New TVET Programme to Boost Career Prospects for PUSPEN Clients
DENGKIL: The Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centres (PUSPEN) will introduce a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) module to improve career opportunities for its clients. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised the need for updated educational approaches to help clients reintegrate as productive community members. 'As Chairman of the National TVET Council, I will support the National Anti-Drugs Agency and all PUSPEN centres nationwide,' he said during a visit to PUSPEN Dengkil. He added that the new module would ensure clients secure professional employment after completing rehabilitation. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh were also present at the event. Ahmad Zahid stressed the importance of high-value training to prepare clients for quality jobs matching their chosen courses. For those interested in entrepreneurship, he pledged to collaborate with SME Corp Malaysia and KUSKOP to provide relevant courses. 'Insya Allah, I will also seek allocations to fund these courses,' he said. The government has spent over RM60 billion on drug rehabilitation, prevention, and treatment efforts. 'That's a huge sum — just imagine if it had been used for building schools, hospitals, or sports activities,' he remarked. Ahmad Zahid urged public support for PUSPEN clients in rebuilding family and community ties, viewing the centre as a rehabilitation facility rather than a punitive one. 'We cannot allow them to drift aimlessly. The MADANI government's vision ensures no one is left behind, including PUSPEN clients,' he said. Earlier, he witnessed the handover of the 'Transform GYM' from the Youth and Sports Ministry to the Home Ministry for use by PUSPEN Dengkil clients and staff. The initiative reflects inter-ministerial collaboration in drug rehabilitation and community well-being. – Bernama
