Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) revealed that around 312 thousand adolescents or youth aged 15-25 in Indonesia have been exposed to narcotics, based on the 2023 national drug abuse prevalence rate.
During a public lecture at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok, West Java, on Wednesday (August 6), BNN Chief Marthinus Hukom stated that various internal and external factors can drive individuals to use drugs.
“The dominant factors that often trigger a person’s first-time drug use include peer pressure, curiosity to try new experiences, and living in environments prone to drug abuse,” Hukom remarked here on Saturday.
Expressing concern for the future of the nation’s youth, he noted that the government has implemented the "Astacita," or the eight main mission program, one of which includes strengthening efforts to prevent and eradicate illegal drugs across the country.
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The government stressed that drug-related issues in the country have reached a critical and urgent stage.
Given the current situation, Hukom called on the five thousand new students attending orientation to take an active role in tackling the drug problem by shifting their mindset, building resilience, and having the courage to say no to drugs.
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Furthermore, the BNN Chief expressed hope that students, particularly in campus settings, would play an active role in drug prevention efforts.
He explained that this could be done by reporting drug abuse and trafficking to authorities, reaching out to friends suspected of drug use to guide them toward rehabilitation services, and forming student organizations or Anti-Narcotics Task Forces on campus.
“With the spirit of collaboration and awareness, campuses are expected to become strongholds that safeguard the nation’s future from the threat of narcotics,” he stated.
