Citing the result of a survey by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Amin noted that Indonesia had over 3.4 million drug users.
Drawing reference to the outcome of the survey, some 180 out of every 10 thousand Indonesians, aged between 15 and 64, had got siphoned into drug addiction, Amin noted.
Drug abuse and crimes have undeniably become a global problem as depicted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that last year, there were 275 million drug users across the globe, Amin remarked.
At the global level, the number of drug users reportedly grew by about 22 percent between 2010 and 2019, and the figure is expected to rise about 11 percent until 2030, he noted.
Related news: Drug abuses have affected all villages in Indonesia
Amin has warned that the nation not only faces a huge number of drug users from the productive age group but it is also challenged by massive drug trafficking operations.
"Drug trades have reached villages and involved women and children, who become drug couriers as well as users," he stated.
In dealing with this alarming situation, Amin has urged the BNN to continue to improve its performance and become a leader in substance abuse prevention efforts and law enforcement against drug traffickers.
While facing drug-related threats, all countries, including Indonesia, are also challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These twin enemies have brought about life-threatening public health disasters in this century, as they have acutely affected various sectors of life, according to Amin.
Indonesia and several other UN member countries observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to demonstrate their full commitment to the global fight against drug crimes.
Indonesia alone remains under grave threat from drug dealers, as several individuals from its working-age population have become trapped in a vicious circle.
The National Narcotics Agency's (BNN's) report of some 50 Indonesians dying of drug use daily has failed to deter drug users in the country from consuming these banned substances.
The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
In February 2021, West Java Police's Propam had placed in detention 12 cops, including the chief of the Astanaanyar district police precinct, on grounds of allegedly consuming a narcotics drug.
Hence, Indonesia is perceived by both domestic and transnational drug dealers as a potential market due to its vast population and millions of drug users. The value of drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly at least Rp66 trillion.
In response to the smuggling of illicit drugs by drug kingpins and traded in the country over the past few decades, the Indonesian government continues to apply harsh punitive action against them.
Related news: BNN appreciates measures taken by military against drug abuses
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EDITED BY INE
Translator: Fransiska N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
