"Judging and stigmatizing them for their drug use may affect their psychology. It is destructive for drug users who have been rehabilitated and for those who have not yet been treated at rehab centers," she said here on Thursday. Wulandari was responding to queries relating to drug charges that several entertainers are currently facing.
Instead of posting discouraging comments and judgments, netizens were advised to help drug users by giving them support through constructive comments and to help people accept ex-drug users in their neighborhoods.
The people's acceptance would help drug users during their recovery process and prevent them from relapsing, she said.
Indonesia's world of entertainment remains vulnerable to drug cases as partly observed from the arrests of female comedian, Tri Retno Prayudati, commonly known as Nunung Srimulat, and her husband on July 19, 2019, and actor, Jefri Nichol, on July 22, 2019.
Police investigators confiscated 0.36 grams of crystal methamphetamine at Nunung Srimulat's house in the Tebet area of South Jakarta on July 19, and 6.01 gram of marijuana from Nichol's room in Kemang area of South Jakarta on July 22.
Indonesia remains under a 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.
Related news: Butet Kartaredjasa deplores Indonesia's artists using addictive drugs
Users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other addictive drugs are from across communities 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 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 against them going.
EDITED BY INE
Related news: BNN Aceh confiscated 2.47 tons methamphetamine since 2017
Related news: Drugs Agency seizes 200 kg narcotics smuggled from Malaysia
Translator: Arnidhya NZ, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
