Kupang Drug Rehab Unit Foundation Laid
By Amin Hosni

Tutong - A foundation laying ceremony for the Kupang Drug Rehabilitation Unit was held yesterday at the new site in Kampong Kupang, Mukim Keriam, Tutong.

The guest of honour, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Home Affairs, poured cement into the foundation.

He was followed by Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awg Hj Dani bin Hj Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, and other government officers.

Also present were directors, senior government officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau, Prisons Department, Fire and Rescue Department and head of villages.

Dato Paduka Hj Ahmad bin Hj Dullah, Director of Prisons, handed the Kupang Drug Rehabilitation Unit project to Hj Abd Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Hj Othman, Acting NCB Director.

Once the Drug Rehabilitation Unit in Kampong Kupang opens in February 2009, Rumah Al-Islah in Muara will no longer be in use, according to a senior narcotics officer. All Rumah Al-Islah's residents will be transferred to the new unit in Kupang.

There has not been any increase in the number of people sent to the drug rehab centre in Muara, he said. Currently there are 52 residents, including 44 males and eight females at the Rumah Al-Islah Muara.

An exhibition on the $17,553,323.89 project put its progress at 16 per cent. The 18-month contract period started on Aug 6, 2007. It will be completed on Feb 5, 2009.

The Drug Rehabilitation Unit at Kampong Kupang is built on a 20-hectare section of secondary jungle in Kampong Kupang, adjacent to residential units that house Prisons Department staff.

It was awarded in 1986 when the client was the Ministry of Welfare, Youth and Sports.

The project was under the 6th National Development Plan but implementation was postponed to the 8' National Development Plan with the budget of $20 million. It remained dormant until 2006, when it was recommended by the Prisons Department.

The facility is designed to accommodate 150 males and 50 females. Male and female facilities are in separate, secure compounds, each containing a control office, admissions/ visitors building, hostels with rooms for up to 10 persons with attached toilets, laundry rooms, wardens and counselling offices, kitchen (plus staff and residents dining, facilities), academic rooms (classrooms, library and computer room), workshops for wood work, metalwork and welding activities, treatment and medical rooms and a surau. A multi-purpose hall and games pitch will be included as future additions.

The administration building will contain the supervisory and controlling staff, responsible for the running of the facility, while the exhibition/sales office will display items made by residents during their rehabilitation, and offer certain items for sale to the public

'The scheme is designed to reflect a kampong style environment, unified by a carefully co-ordinated colour scheme and building design, to ensure that staff is given the correct facilities to treat residents. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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