Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Youth and Sports in cooperation with the Nusantara Village Young Generation Organization is organizing anti-drug cadre training in five districts in Aceh Province.

The ministry said in press statement made available to Antara on Sunday said that the training will last until Sept 23 in the districts of Aceh Jaya, Bireun, Banda Aceh, Pidie and Kabupaten Pidie Jaya.

Deputy for Youth Development of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Arifin said the training in the five districts was carried out as a follow-up to the induction of anti-drug core cadres conducted early this month.

"This is a follow-up of the induction of the 200 anti-drug cadres on Sept 4," he said.

The anti-drug core cadres are expected to have the competence in providing education for the people, particularly younger generation, on the importance of knowing the danger of narcotics.

Based on a survey conducted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the University of Indonesia, about 70 percent of drug addicts are members of the younger generation. Now, at least 4.5 million Indonesians are drug addicts.

According to the BNN`s data, the prevalence of drug addicts in Indonesia continues to reflect an upward trend. In 2008, the number of drug addicts was pegged at 3.3 million.

It rose to 4 million in 2011 and in 2015 it is expected to touch 5.1 million.

However, Indonesia is facing challenges in its efforts to fight drug trafficking. It has also encountered resistance from abroad, when it meted out punishment, particularly death penalty for big time traffickers.



Reporting by Syaiful Hakim
Editing by Fardah

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
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