"GRANAT has consistently taken pre-emptive, preventive, and rehabilitative measures in the fight against drugs," he noted in a press statement made available to ANTARA here, Monday.
GRANAT, a non-governmental organization that parents of drug abuse victims set up in October 1999, highlighted to the public that the fight against drugs is not only the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but also of the community.
Hence, to this end, he underscored the need for collaboration between the government, law enforcement agencies, and community in the war on drugs.
According to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the number of drug cases in Indonesia increased, from 1,184, with 1,483 suspects, in 2021 to 1,350, with 1,748 suspects, in 2022, Soesatyo stated.
"From January to July 2023, there have been 1,125 drug cases, with 1,625 suspects, while the number of drug users in Indonesia is recorded at 4.8 million people this year," he remarked.
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Soesatyo further pointed out that economic costs borne by Indonesia due to drug addiction had reached Rp57 trillion in 2013. The economic costs, related to drugs, increased to Rp63 trillion in 2015 and to Rp84 trillion in 2021.
"In terms of the age, the drug users in Indonesia are dominated by individuals, aged between 25 and 49. What makes us more concerned is the fact that more and more students are becoming involving in drug offences," he remarked.
In the first semester of this year, the number of students reportedly misusing drugs was recorded at 2,239.
"They are not only drug users. Many of them are also involved in drug trafficking operations," he added.
Domestic and transnational drug dealers consider Indonesia to be a potential market due to its huge population and millions of drug users.
The users of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and other types of addictive drugs can belong to any community and socioeconomic and cultural background.
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Translator: Genta TM, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
