For that we use the momentum of the International Day against Drug Abuse with a strong determination to fight against drugsJakarta (ANTARA) - Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung invites all elements of the nation to fight illicit drugs that have harmed the nation and state.
"Illicit drugs are a crime that destroy nations and countries everywhere. For that we must fight against drugs," Pramono Anung said here on Sunday, while delivering remarks on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day.
Anung said that the impacts of drugs are destructive to families, nations and countries.
There must be a strong determination between the government and all elements of society in order to reduce or even eliminate drugs, Anung said.
"For that we use the momentum of the International Day against Drug Abuse with a strong determination to fight against drugs. Let us fight drugs," Anung said.
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The International Day against Drug Abuse is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
The determination is in line with the United Nations Resolution No. 42/112 dated December 7, 1987.
The purpose of commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse is to remind the world community to unite their determination and strengthen action as well as cooperation to create a world order that is free from narcotics abuse.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has urged all Indonesian youngsters to actively support drug prevention and eradication efforts and help create a superior and quality generation.
To be more productive and competitive, let's prevent drug abuse and behave positively to create a golden generation for an advanced Indonesia, he said.
The webinar's theme was to improve health and welfare of youth by preventing drug abuse and other risky behaviors.
Sadikin said that young people are the next generation of Indonesia, hence they have an important role in the country's development program.
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"In 2030, Indonesia will get a demographic bonus as the majority of the population will be in their productive age," he noted.
Hence, the government has continued efforts to raise awareness and understanding among youngsters on a number of risky behaviors that young people normally indulge in, he said.
"For instance, violence, bullying, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as drug abuse," he said.
According to data provided by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), as well as Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the prevalence of the abuse of drugs, psychotropic, and other addictive substances increased from 1.8 percent in 2019 to 1.95 percent in 2021, with the highest prevalence seen among people aged between 15 and 24 years.
"It is expected that there will be good collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community (on fighting drug abuse), the minister remarked.
He invited all parties to build a young generation that is aware of various health issues through the Healthy Community Movement (Germas).
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Translator: Rangga P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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