"If we do not control and combat the drug abuse completely, it may turn out to be the biggest ever human disaster in the country," Social Service Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said.Malang, E Java (ANTARA News) - Drug abuse may turn out to be the biggest ever human disaster if it was not controlled and checked completely, Social Service Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said.
"If we do not control and combat the drug abuse completely, it may turn out to be the biggest ever human disaster in the country," she said while addressing the International Anti-Narcotics Day, themed "Ramadhan Rejects Drugs," at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang district, East Java, on Monday night.
She noted that there are various kinds of drugs and drug abuse has become a cause for major concern.
"To minimize the impact of drugs and to fight drug abuse, the Social Service Ministry has inaugurated two million disaster response volunteers (Tagana) nationwide," she stated.
In a symbolic inauguration of the two million Tagana members, the minister installed Moreno Suprapto and Putri Ayu Diah as Tagana envoys on the sidelines of the event held at the stadium.
"I ask Tagana envoys to reach the scene within one hour of a natural disaster happening. When it comes to drug abuse, we fear it will pose a massive human tragedy. Therefore, Tagana must be more responsive. This duty is really formidable," she urged.
Tagana must also be able to motivate drug addicts to recover and shun their addiction, she said, adding they must also actively keep abreast of the situation related to drugs.
"Tagana must know what is happening," she exhorted.
It is predicted that 50 people die due to drug abuse in the country every day. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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