The police and regional government in South Sumatra have resorted to several measures to eradicate and prevent the abuse of narcotics, psychotropic substances, addictive substances, and dangerous drugs.

However, the number of drug cases has remained high, as evidenced by the dozens of cases investigated by the South Sumatra police every week.

Based on data collected during the last week of October 2021, the Narcotics Directorate team of the South Sumatra police uncovered 35 cases of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Head of public relations of the South Sumatra police, Senior Commissioner Supriadi, informed on Monday that 42 suspected drug dealers and users have been apprehended from a number of regencies and cities and 216.66 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 68 sticks of marijuana, and 26 pills of ecstasy seized from them.

Based on the high number of drug cases in the region, the South Sumatra regional police will carry out aggressive operations to eradicate drug abuse and illicit trafficking, he said.

Meanwhile, director of Narcotics Investigation of South Sumatra police, Senior Commissioner Heri Istu, said that the drug abuse and illicit trafficking rate in the province is high at 5 percent, exceeding the normal limit of 2.4 percent.

Based on the results of a national survey conducted by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), the prevalence rate of drug cases in 2019 was around 2.4 percent.

The survey ranked South Sumatra second in terms of drug prevalence (5 percent), after North Sumatra, where the prevalence of drugs was recorded at 6.5 percent.

Support from all parties is needed to reduce the number of drug abuse and illicit trafficking cases, Istu said. Due to the high prevalence of drugs in the province, he said is seeking to intensify drug prevention and eradication efforts.

He said police have continued to educate the public about the dangers of consuming drugs on physical and mental health and future prospects in collaboration with various stakeholders and formed a ‘virtual mang PDK’, free from drugs (bersinar) community.

Meanwhile, to eradicate drug abuse, police are seeking to increase operations, which are being evaluated every week, he informed.

“Anyone who is proven to be storing, possessing, and distributing drugs will be processed in accordance with legal provisions,” he said.

In addition to increasing drug eradication operations, the police are also inviting the community to help eradicate drug abuse.

If people suspect illegal activities related to drug trafficking or abuse in their neighborhood, they must report it to the nearest police station, Istu emphasized.

P4GN movement

South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru has also invited all parties, including the community in the province, to promote the prevention and eradication of drug abuse and illicit trafficking (P4GN).

P4GN activities need to be encouraged by all parties since the number of victims of drug abuse has continued to increase, he said adding, therefore, a joint movement is needed to overcome these cases.

Drugs prevention and eradication cannot be carried out by the government alone, with only law enforcement officers whose numbers are limited, he observed.

The participation of all parties, elements of society, and institutions can provide a big boost to the P4GN movement and provide zero avenues for dealing and using drugs.

Head of South Sumatra BNN, Brigadier General Joko Prihadi, has formed a task force at each local government service or agency and all villages at the instructions of regional heads to promote the P4GN movement.

Bersinar village

South Sumatra police chief Inspector General Toni Harmanto said that the campaign on the dangers of drugs needs to be carried out on various occasions with various methods.

To prevent and eradicate drugs, all parties and levels of society are expected to care about their surrounding environment and protect the younger generation from the dangers of drugs, he said.

A joint movement to eradicate narcotics and illegal drug trafficking networks requires all components to unite, he added.

Harmanto invited all ranks to continue to educate the public to fight drugs. Through active and continuous efforts to overcome the drug problem, it is hoped that the province, especially Palembang city, will become a drug-free city (Bersinar), he remarked.

Palembang Mayor Harnojoyo is aiming to develop a village free from drugs (Bersinar) to break the cycle of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

“Right now, there are only a few Bersinar villages in Palembang. Their number will continue to be developed to 107 villages,” Harnojoyo stated.

The Bersinar villages need to be developed to maximize awareness on drug eradication through education of various levels of society, he added.

Socialization about the dangers of drugs needs to be promoted in various ways to increase public understanding and awareness about the dangers of drugs consumption, he said.

Public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse needs to be increased in an effort to increase prevention, Harnojoyo said.

Drugs can influence people or groups in various ways, he said. If the community provides strong deterrence, then people would not easily fall into the trap of drug use, he added.

Through Bersinar villages, Mayor Harnojoyo hopes that education, socialization, and drug eradication programs can run optimally to provide a strong community deterrent to narcotics use.

Source: Antara News