A survey that we conducted this year showed that 24 neighborhoods that we choose as samples are not safe, with 16 categorized as 'danger,' five as 'alert,' and three others as 'standby'Kendari, SE Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) cautioned residents of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, of the omnipresent danger of illicit drugs since its recent study indicated 24 of the city's 64 neighborhoods were yet prone to drug trade.
Head of the BNN-Southeast Sulawesi Office Brig. Gen. Ghiri Prawijaya delivered the warning while speaking at a meeting with the heads of sub-districts and neighborhoods in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi Province, on Tuesday.
"A survey that we conducted this year showed that 24 neighborhoods that we choose as samples are not safe, with 16 categorized as 'danger,' five as 'alert,' and three others as 'standby,'" he noted.
Incidents of drug dealing and misuse in the city had reached emergency proportions since those siphoned into the vicious circle of addiction transcended age, level of education, profession, social status, and gender, he affirmed.
In addressing this challenging reality, Prawijaya called on all heads of sub-districts and neighborhoods in Kendari to work closely with those from related agencies and community members to boost preventive measures to be better prepared in the fight against drugs.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers perceive Indonesia as a potential market due to its large population and millions of drug users. Drug trade in Indonesia is valued at almost Rp66 trillion.
According to BNN's report, some 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 pressed for handing down capital punishment to those involved in drug trade in the country.
Both BNN and the police have continued their war against drugs amid the COVID-19 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. Related news: Attempt to smuggle drugs from Malaysia into N Sumatra foiled
Related news: Police seize 159 kg of drugs, likely smuggled from China
EDITED BY INE
Translator: M.Harianto, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
