"Up to the third quarter of 2013, 60 drug abuse cases have been recorded at TNI. We hope the number will not increase in the later part of the year," said Edy in a discussion held by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on Wednesday.
According to him, the total number of drug abuse cases at TNI was recorded at 178 in 2010, while in 2011, the figure decreased to 169.
In 2012, 169 cases of drug abuse were reported.
"We hope that the decline in the number of drug abuse at TNI shows that soldiers are concerned about the risk of drug abuse," Edy said.
He added that the decreasing number of drug abuse cases at TNI can be attributed to the assertiveness of TNI officials in combating drug abuse.
The TNI officials will impose sanctions of dismissal if their members are caught consuming drugs, Edy added.
He said TNI imposes dismissal sanction because its personnel should be good role models for Indonesians and to reduce the high number of drug abuse cases in the Indonesian military.
"Besides, we believe that soldiers who abuse drugs may not be as capable as the rest in their duties; they have a great responsibility because they use weapons," Edy said.
The sanction also considers the potential spread of drug abuse at TNI corps and acts as deterrence for the corps members. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
