President Prabowo Calls for Stronger Drug Rehabilitation

The Government is preparing a number of measures to strengthen efforts to prevent and deal with drug abuse, ranging from strengthening rehabilitation centers and developing affordable detection devices to formulating research-based regulations. The measures were discussed during a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and several ministers of the Red-and-White Cabinet at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (09/29).

Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria said that the agency will strengthen and improve the quality of drug rehabilitation centers, including by conducting studies on rehabilitation methods. He also said that the Government is encouraging the development of affordable detection technology to support prevention efforts.

“We also want to improve the quality of and increase the number of rehabilitation centers. This includes studying the methods and other related matters, and BRIN has been ordered to make relevant contributions in this regard. Second, we have also been ordered to conduct studies on affordable detection devices that can subsequently be used for prevention efforts,” he said.

In addition, Arif said that one of the current concerns in addressing drug-related issues was the increasing use of vape, which could potentially open up ways for the spread of drugs. He noted that the number of vape users has currently reached more than four million and, based on tests conducted by BRIN, vape use also has impacts on health.

“Medically, based on tests conducted by BRIN, vaping has impacts on health, including causing diabetes, lung problems, and pancreatic problems. Vaping can also be a way for the spread of drugs. Therefore, this is an issue that must be properly anticipated immediately,” Arif added.

According to him, BRIN will coordinate with the Ministry of Health, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Ministry of Law, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to review various related regulations. The review will be supported by research findings and academic papers as a basis for policy formulation.

“Essentially, the President is committed to saving the future generation. Therefore, he aims to ensure that the future generation is truly safe from drugs,” Arif said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said that President Prabowo has instructed him to coordinate with several ministries and institutions, including BNN and BRIN, to formulate policies on the rehabilitation of drug users, including those serving sentences in correctional facilities.

“Second, I was specifically instructed to coordinate with several ministries and institutions, including with the Head of BNN and the Head of BRIN, as well as the Minister, to explore rehabilitation measures on drug users and the use of drugs in correctional facilities which are currently overcrowded,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (EST/TM)