"Parents' role in the household is crucial in the supervision and control of children's interactions in order to prevent children from being contaminated with narcotics," Head of the Central Sulawesi Narcotics Agency Monang Situmorang said in a broadcast that was accessed on Thursday.
The agency, along with Insan Cita Indonesia Foundation (ICI), counseled students on the dangers of using drugs at Luwuk State High School 1 in Banggai District.
The counseling was a follow-up to the collaboration between the two entities.
During the counseling, Situmorang said that the youth are very vulnerable to narcotics because they are at an age where they are developing, are usually curious, and are willing to try things.
People in the age range of 15 to 24 are vulnerable as they are prone to be exposed to drugs, he added.
He cited the agency’s data that in recent years, approximately 10 thousand people from the age group have fallen victim to narcotics abuse.
Hence, he urged parents not to remain idle, and instead, proactively monitor their children's social interactions. Parents need to know their children's social circles, he stressed.
"One of the factors which cause the youth to be exposed to narcotics is due to factor of environment, the second is due to the lack of parental supervision and guidance," he said.
Another factor is depression in children, which stems from clashes within the family, Situmorang added.
He told the students that they must not consume narcotics under any circumstances because that would be detrimental to them.
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Translator: M Hajiji, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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