DALAT, Sept. 12 -- Dalat has emerged as one of Sarawak's hotspots in the fight against substance abuse, with nearly all drug-related arrests this year having tested positive.

State Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said of the 31 arrests made here between January and June, 30 cases - or 96.77 per cent - tested positive, which was significantly higher than the state average of 76.46 per cent.

She said the worrying trend underscored the need for stronger interventions, including the establishment of a One Stop Centre for Addiction (OSCAR) here, where addicts could voluntarily seek treatment.

"Drug addiction is not just a crime issue, but also a health problem that can be treated. ...