"We do not just focus on law enforcement against drug offenders, but we also intensify our preventive efforts at schools," head of the West Jakarta Police's Narcotics Unit Adjunct Senior Commissioner Akmal said on Friday.
The intensive public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug addiction could help break the chain of drug trafficking, he said, adding that drug-free students will be able to easily focus on their education.
In West Jakarta, there are at least 500 schools, and the West Jakarta police's anti-drug personnel have visited several schools, Akmal said.
Even as the West Jakarta police continue their public awareness campaign, a top police officer has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a drug trafficking case.
On Friday, Indonesian Police chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, ordered the National Police's Internal Affairs Division (Propam) to question Inspector General Teddy Minahasa to identify potential ethics breaches in connection with a drug case against him.
"I have asked the Propam chief to conduct an ethics hearing, which may end with a dishonorable discharge," he said.
According to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Minahasa was allegedly involved in the trade of around five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
At least 1.7 kg of the illicit drugs was traded in Kampung Bahari, while around 3.3 kg was confiscated by police, director of the Jakarta Police's Narcotics Division, Sen.Coms.Mukti Juharsa, said.
Indonesia remains under grave threat from drug dealers as a significant number of its working-age population has become trapped in a vicious cycle of drug abuse.
According to a report by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), at least 50 Indonesians die of drug use daily in the country. However, this statistic has failed to deter drug use in the country.
The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs come from different communities and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
In February 2021, for instance, West Java Police's Internal Affairs Division (Propam) arrested 12 police officers for allegedly consuming narcotics.
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 the drug trade in the country is estimated to have reached nearly Rp66 trillion.
In response to the smuggling of illicit drugs by drug kingpins over the past few decades, the Indonesian government has continued to apply harsh punitive action against them.
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Translator: Walda M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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