Please do not use the works of artists as a reason for using addictive drugs. It is not acceptable because being an artist is a noble profession like that of journalistsJakarta (ANTARA) - Veteran actor Butet Kartaredjasa deplored the habit of Indonesia's artists and actresses to use addictive drugs and said that only stupid people use drugs. "Wishing to become artists but they suddenly use drugs. Only the stupid people do so," Butet said here Saturday commenting on certain artists and actresses who become drug users.
The fact that certain artists are getting involved in drug-related cases has nothing to do with their working environment. Instead, their involvement could likely be related to their own personal problems, he said.
"Please do not use the works of artists as a reason for using addictive drugs. It is not acceptable because being an artist is a noble profession like that of journalists," Butet said, adding that so many artists in Indonesia do not use drugs.
Indonesia's world of entertainment remains vulnerable to drug cases as partly observed from the arrests of female comedian Tri Retno Prayudati or commonly known as Nunung Srimulat and her husband on July 19, 2019.
The police investigators confiscated 0.36 grams of crystal methamphetamine during their raid at Nunung Srimulat's house at Tebet area of South Jakarta Friday.
The arrests of Srimulat and her husband for allegedly using drugs have extended the list of Indonesia's artists who have been nabbed for drug cases.
Indonesia remains under serious threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have been trapped in a vicious circle.
The National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report that some 50 Indonesians die of drug use every day has not yet deterred drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.
The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs are from any community and from distinct socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Therefore, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its huge population and millions of drug users. The value of the drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly least Rp66 trillion.
In response to the illicit drugs that drug kingpins have smuggled into and traded in the country over the past few decades, the Indonesian government continues to apply harsh punitive action against them.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo had also issued shoot-at-sight orders against drug kingpins.
However, this has failed to deter drug traffickers. They continue to treat Indonesia as one of their main markets even as Indonesian law enforcers keep the fight going against them. (INE)
Related news: 4kg meth seized at Pekanbaru airport in Riau
Related news: BNN Aceh confiscated 2.47 tons methamphetamine since 2017
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Devi NSR, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
