INDONESIA REHABILITATES DRUG ADDICTS, SEVERELY PUNISHES TRAFFICKERS by Fardah

   Jakarta, June 27, 2015 (Antara)- Indonesian firing squads have executed 14 death row convicts, including 12 foreigners, involved in drug-related crimes this year.

       Despite the severe punishments, illicit drug trafficking activities have continued to affect Indonesia.

        On June 23, 2015, Jakarta Metro Jaya Police announced the arrest of six suspected members of a China-Indonesia international drug ring, and seized 72.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth Rp106 billion, or around US$ 8 million.

       "The suspects committed the crime by hiding the meth inside reflexology machines," Chief of Jakarta Metro Police (Polda Metro Jaya) Inspector General Tito Karnavian revealed.

        The suspects will be charged under Article 114, paragraph (2) subsidiary Article 112, paragraph (2) of Law No. 35 of 2009 on narcotics and will be subject to a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and will face a maximum penalty of death.

        As Indonesia has become a target of drug mafias, the government is determined to impose capital punishment as a declaration of a war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

        "There is no other way but to declare a war against illicit drugs," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated, while speaking during the commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the State Palace in Jakarta, on June 26, 2015.

        Drugs have affected the physical and mental health of the people, thereby hindering the nation's long-term competitiveness and progress, the president stated.

        Since 1987, the United Nations has designated 26 June as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

           This year's theme is `Lets Develop Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities, Without Drugs¿.

          In Indonesia, the number of illicit drugs abusers  is believed to be 4.1 million, or 2.2 percent of the total population. Material losses due to drug abuse are recorded at Rp63 trillion.

        "Drug-related crimes are categorized as extraordinary and serious crimes. Moreover, drug crimes are transnational and organized crimes, so they pose a concrete threat that requires serious and urgent handling," Jokowi added.

             Therefore, the fight against illicit drugs should involve every stakeholder and not only the National Narcotic Agency (BNN).

           He also ordered the strengthening of law enforcement measures against drug abuse and trafficking.

          Further, preventive measures that are measurable and sustainable should be prioritized in the fight, he added.

          Rehabilitation of drug addicts should be stepped up from 18,000 last year to 100,000 this year, and 200,000 in 2016, he ordered.

       During the commemoration, Jokowi symbolically officiated at a groundbreaking ceremony of drug rehabilitation centers in seven Indonesian cities to assure reaching the target of rehabilitating 200,000 drug addicts next year.

         "Last year, 18,000 drug addicts were rehabilitated while this year, we target to increase the figure to 100,000, and next year, it should reach 200,000. We should double the number, as the number of drug addicts continues to increase," Jokowi remarked.   
  The rehabilitation centers are to be managed by the Social Affairs Ministry and will be built in South Sumatra, East Java, Jambi, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and North Maluku.

         Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa noted that the ministry has accredited 118 rehabilitation centers, called IPWLs, with a maximum capacity to rehabilitate 15,870 drug addicts.

         It will be a challenge to meet the target set by the president, as not every drug addict voluntarily seeks to undergo rehabilitation.

        Still, Khofifah called upon all drug addicts to report to the IPWLs to undergone rehabilitation.

       "Later, they will receive IPWL cards, so that they would not be arrested," Khofifah noted.

         According to Chief of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (BNN) Commissioner General Anang Iskandar, drug addicts are not criminals, and therefore, they should not be detained in jails.

        Instead, they need mental and physical rehabilitation, he emphasized.

        The existing law, number 35 of 2009 on narcotics, stipulates that drug addicts and victims of drug abuse are required to undergo medical and social rehabilitation.

       "So far, only 2,000 addicts have been rehabilitated," he pointed out.

         The BNN hopes that by rehabilitating drug addicts, the narcotics network can be eradicated.

        Therefore, efforts to heal addicts will be continued until Indonesia is free from drugs.

       Different measures are applied to deal with drug dealers who should be punished severely, including by receiving the death penalty.

       "I agree with sentencing drug dealers to death. We must act firmly against them," Iskandar emphasized. ***2***
(T.F001/A/BESSR/A/YH) 27-06-2015 16:51:54