"We are now in a state of emergency in terms of drug circulation. Firmer and more comprehensive regulations are expected to be able to tackle this problem," Anti-Narcotics Body (BNN) chairman Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - It is predicted that the number of drug users in Indonesia will increase from 3.8 million in 2011 (2.2 percent of total 240 million population) to 4.58 million in 2013, Anti-Narcotics Body (BNN) chairman Comr. Gen. Anang Iskandar said.

According to the results of a national survey conducted by BNN and University of Indonesia (UI) in 2011, of the 3.8-4.7 million drug users, about one-third used performance-boost drug Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS), 1.2 million used Crystalline Metamphetamine (popularly known as Shabu) and 950,000 others used ecstasy.

"ATS consumption is decreasing in Java, Bali and Papua but is increasing in Kalimantan and Sumatra especially among laborers, students and commercial sex workers. Since 2007 we have confiscated 3,504 grams of ATS drugs. The figure significantly increased to 1,000,092 grams in 2011," he said here on Wednesday.

The police general emphasized the need of the government and people to take a comprehensive measures to eradicate the circulation of drugs in the country.

"We are now in a state of emergency in terms of drug circulation. Firmer and more comprehensive regulations are expected to be able to tackle this problem," he said.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) program coordinator Tun Nay Soe warns Indonesia of a possible increase in the use of ATS drugs in the country.

"The large licit requirements of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine for industrial purpose in Indonesia heighten the risk that these substances may be wrongfully used for production of ATS," he said.

He made it clear that more drug traffickers are interested in producing ATS since it can be manufactured everywhere (in small apartment or housing complex) and they only need to mix it with chemicals.

The estimated market value of ATS in Indonesia is also promising. With the average market street price of around Rp1.3 million (YS$145) per gram, the Crystalline Metamphetamine trade in Indonesia generated an estimated Rp16 trillion (US$1.8 billion) in revenues in 2011.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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