"Do not be surprised if government officials could also be involved in drug abuse. That is why I have urged Islamic boarding schools to also anticipate the dangers of drugs," Panjaitan remarked while visiting the Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, on Wednesday.
He expressed regret that government officials were also involved in drug abuse, such as the case of Ogan Ilir District Head A.W. Nofiadi who tested positive for using drugs.
Panjaitan said that in addition to the general public, drug abuse had also become prevalent among the students of Islamic boarding schools, and in East Java, it was reported that some Islamic boarding school students were found to have used drugs.
Therefore, he expressed hope that the students of Islamic boarding schools would actively participate in the efforts to eradicate drug abuse.
Commissioner General Budi Waseso, head of the National Narcotic Agency (BNN), stated that Indonesia was now in a state of drug emergency, and in such a situation, he opined that it was necessary to involve the Indonesian Army in drug eradication efforts.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
