The BNN office in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi Province, launched a mobile loudspeaker-based campaign in the city on Tuesday to make local residents aware of the continued threat posed by drugs amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Four personnel from the BNN-Kendari office conducted the public awareness campaign to educate people, particularly the youth in the province, and break the chain of illicit drug trade, the agency's head, Harmawari, said.
Amid the ongoing pandemic, when people have been asked to stay at home and work from home, the BNN head in Jakarta suggested the mobile loudspeaker-based campaign in Kendari, she said.
For the campaign, the BNN officials focused on the Anduonohu Kemilau, Lorong Wirabuana Anduonohu, and Graha Duta Anduonohu housing complexes.
They also distributed stickers stating "Stop consuming illicit drugs" to residents, Harmawari said.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers view Indonesia as a potential market due to its large population and millions of drug users. The drug trade in Indonesia is valued at almost Rp66 trillion.
According to the BNN's report, about 50 drug use-related deaths occur daily in Indonesia. However, the deaths have failed to deter people from using drugs.
In the face of the grave threat posed by drug lords, BNN chief commissioner General Heru Winarko has advised capital punishment for those involved in the drug trade in the country.
Both BNN and police have continued their war against drugs amid the pandemic.
On May 19, 2020, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ferdy Sambo and Sen. Coms. Herry Heryawan, the National Police's Red and White Special Task Force personnel confiscated 821 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Serang District, Banten Province.
On June 4, 2020, the task force's drug raid in Banten Province helped uncover another case involving the smuggling of 402.38 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from the Middle Eastern region into Indonesia aboard a hired fishing boat. (INE)
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: M.Harianto, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
