RCE Greater Gombak - 2022

MyPLACE@KOMITED
Basic Information
Title of project : 
MyPLACE@KOMITED
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Gombak
Contributing organization(s) : 
1. Pertubuhan Komuniti Intervensi Dadah (KOMITED) Malaysia.
2. Sustainable Reimbursement Drug Policy (SRDP) Flagship 2.0 IIUM.
3. Substance Use Disorder Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy IIUM.
4. Mental, Substance Abuse, Violent & Injury Prevention (MESVIP), Ministry of Health Malaysia.
5. National Anti-Drug Agency Pahang, Malaysia
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainal Abidin Sanusi
Organizational Affiliation: 
International Islamic University Malaysia
Name: 
Asst. Prof. Dr. Nor Ilyani Mohamed Nazar
Organizational Affiliation: 
International Islamic University Malaysia
Format of project: 
Capacity Building, Community Empowerment
Language of project: 
Malay and English
Date of submission:
Friday, September 9, 2022
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Kuantan, Pahang
Address of focal point institution for project: 
RCE G2@IIUM Kuantan
Real World Lab for Sustainable Health
International Islamic University Malaysia Kuantan Campus, Pahang Darul Makmur., General Administration Department, Office of the Campus Director, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
Ecosystem(s):

Public Community
Target Audience:
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Casa Harapan is a home for people who inject drugs (PWID) and illegal substance users to seek shelter and reclaim their life post-addiction. The place is run by Pertubuhan Komuniti Intervensi Dadah (KOMITED) Malaysia which is a non-profit, community-based organisation sheltering those affected by drugs, ranging from children to the elderly. The community living here are former drug users whose life, and their loved one’s life has been affected by addiction and now determined to redesign a better drug-free life. Most of the residents here do not have a stable income, apart from struggling to maintain good health.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Substance abuse and illicit drug usage has been a global burden since decades. It was estimated that illicit drug use is responsible for over 750 000 deaths per year, globally. The negative consequences of substance dependence and abuse are not only detrimental to the physical health and medical condition of a person, but also take a toll on one’s mental health, work performance and relationship with others including spouse, family, colleagues and society at large. The impact is not only limited to the people struggling with substance, but also affected the family institutions and children’s growth and development. These consequences are still faced by this community even when they are no longer actively using drugs. Due to its huge detrimental impact, SDG Target 3.5 specifically focus on eradicating and preventing substance abuse.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
November, 2021 to November, 2022
Rationale: 
Substance dependence / substance use disorder is a chronic illness, where it can directly or indirectly affect people at different ages. The effects are more dangerous among the people who inject drugs (PWID) population where it can lead to the emergence and high rate of communicable disease, especially HIV AIDS. KOMITED Malaysia has come out with a holistic approach to cater different target group such as children, female drug users, those with dual diagnosis - addiction and mental health issues and other chronic diseases, the hard-core addicts (age 65 years and above) and those on job-placement and community assimilation programme. Since the clients of KOMITED Malaysia come in with various issues and the fact that it is run mainly by former drug users, it is timely that this collaborative project between KOMITED Malaysia and International Islamic University Malaysia (which is the host for RCE Greater Gombak) took place, as it aims to address various educational needs of the population. Through the holistic modules constructed, this will also offer a chance to them to change their habits and behaviour and start engaging with families and societies. This treatment facility will give a positive hope for recovery to the potential clients regardless of ages. The outcome from the programme will pave ways for the development of national policies for capacity building for sustainable health.
Objectives: 
The ultimate goal of this project is to assist the PWID and people with substance use disorder to recover and rebuild their life post-addiction. Rebuilding life is not only limited to regaining their health and wellbeing, but holistically as a person and member of society. Apart from that, this project also serves as a platform for both formal and informal learning to take place. Formal learning is achieved through integration of the project in formal university courses and informal learning focuses on capacity building for both the residents of Casa Harapan and their caretakers. As such, it integrates ESD learning for both PWID and the university’s students and lecturers.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Aiming at empowering the socially challenged community to reclaim their life from substance addiction and achieve holistic wellbeing, MyPLACE has adapted several educational and engagement initiatives;

- Knowledge Transfer Programme which is conducted through discussions, workshops, talks concerning medication use and health awareness.
- Regular visits, discussions and workshops on medication management, smoking cessation, data management, grant writing application, health advocacy on HIV/AIDS, and other communicable diseases
- Integration of the project into the formal curriculum through four (4) credited courses:
- Two elective courses in the Faculty of Pharmacy; ‘Drug Abuse’ (2 Credit Hours) and ‘Innovation in Pharmacy - Home Medication Review’ (2 Credit Hours)
- Two university required courses; ‘Usrah in Action 1 & 2’ (2 Credit Hours) which focus on community engagement and solving real community issues from sustainable development perspectives.

- Collaborative research and publication for wider dissemination of knowledge and awareness
Size of academic audience: 
240
Results: 
This is an exemplary showcase of multi-stakeholders working together and it serves as a multilayers ESD platform. This is highlighted by the involvement of at least 100 students (60 students involved in the Drug Abuse Course, 35 students involved in the Usrah in Action Course, 5 students involved as facilitators for No-smoking and data analysis workshop) , in which they have been trained and exposed to the project via credited courses and being facilitators. At least 20 IIUM staff have been directly involved in the teaching & learning, health promotion programmes, knowledge transfer and research activities with KOMITED Malaysia. There was also involvement from various stakeholders such as the State Religious Department, National Antidrug Agency, State Police Department and the State Health Department. From the KOMITED Malaysia side, it is estimated that at least 50 staff with 60 in-house and 30 drop-in clients have been trained so far via various programmes conducted. The initiatives have shown improvement in terms of their knowledge and practice of medication handling and disease management at the shelter homes.
Lessons learned: 
- The consequences of illicit drug use do not only affect the individual drug users, but the whole community. Furthermore, the effect is not only confined to health perspective, but multiple aspects of life and livelihood.
- Addiction is treatable and manageable but requires a life-long commitment and motivation from various parties/stakeholders. As long as there is will and commitment, everyone deserves a second chance to rebuild their lives despite the inglorious past.
- Community engagement is the best way to approach the marginalised community while addressing their needs.
Key messages: 
MyPLACE@KOMITED aims at assisting this vulnerable population of people with substance use disorder in overcoming their addiction problem, improving their understanding of treatment, and leading a progressive post-addiction life. It also symbolises that there will always be a ‘place’ for them in this world if they are willing to change for betterment and prevent any negative influences, especially those associated with illicit drug use, from re-entering and dominating their lives. In essence, MyPLACE@KOMITED is a true platform for real world living lab for ESD.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
No
Funding: 
In the year 2021, the project secured two grants :
Name of grant : Knowledge Transfer Programme-Research Initiative Grant Scheme 2021 (KTP-RIGS21), IIUM.
Level : University.
Duration : One (1) year (July 2021 - June 2022) Amount : RM 17,400 (4138.13 USD).

Name of grant : Mental Health-Substance-Abuse-Violence and Injury Prevention Programme (MESSVIP), Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Level : National.
Duration : One (1) year (Nov 2021- Dec 2022)
Amount : RM 100,000 (23782.35 USD)

Another grant was secured in the year 2022. 3.Name of grant : Flagship Grant, IIUM
Level : University.
Duration : One (1) year (March 2022 - February 2023) Amount : RM 5,000 (1189.12 USD)

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon KOMITED 1.jpg (240.25 KB) The "Casa Harapan" Shelter RCE Greater Gombak
Image icon KOMITED 2.jpg (241.48 KB) Exhibition of the Project RCE Greater Gombak
Image icon KOMITED 3.jpg (230.77 KB) Health Screening RCE Greater Gombak
Image icon KOMITED 4.jpg (205.25 KB) Community Profiling RCE Greater Gombak
Image icon KOMITED 5.jpg (327.86 KB) Exhibition Day RCE Greater Gombak
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes