Central Java National Narcotics Agency (BNN) officials present evidence and suspects in a case of drug distribution, at the Central Java BNN office in the city of Semarang, Friday (15/9). The law enforcement officials have destroyed crystal meth confiscated in far-flung villages.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The number of drug suspects among children and teenagers under the age of 15, as well as those between 16 and 19, has increased in the last two years.
According to data from the drug directorate of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) compiled from cases handled by regional police forces and the drug directorate, there were only 69 drug suspects under the age of 15 in 2015. However, that number increased to 114 people in 2016, and in 2017, as of July, the number has reached 67 people.
Bareskrim drug crime director Brig. Gen. Eko Daniyanto said on Friday that there were as many as 2,117 drug suspects aged 16-19 in 2015 and 2,047 in 2016. In 2017, as of July, the number had reached 1,521.
Eko added that, in terms of occupation, there were 855 school students and 932 university students among a total of drug 50,178 suspects in 2015. In 2016, those figures rose to 1,276 school students and 1,075 university students from a total of 60,387. As of July 2017, police recorded 656 school students and 795 university students among a total of 36,913 drug suspects.
Surabaya keeps eye on snacks
In Surabaya, East Java, the management of state elementary school SD Neegeri Kaliasin 1 has reportedly taken numerous measures to prevent drugs from entering the school environment. One of the measures is to watch over snacks sold at the school.
SD Negeri Kaliasin 1 general affairs coordinator Sudiono said the students and their parents were advised to bring their own food from home. That recommendation was aimed at ensuring that students do not buy snacks outside the school. “By bringing their own food, students are avoiding snacks that could contain things that cannot be accounted for, like drugs,” Sudiono said on Friday.
The school has assured that the area in front of the school has been cleared of sellers. During break times, the school gates are always closed, so that students do not look for snacks outside the school. There are seven food and drink sellers in the school, whose ingredients and hygiene have been examined by the canteen management.
Sudiono said that no promotion of snacks was allowed at the school under a policy that applies to both famous brands and less famous ones, in order to keep students safe.
Putri, 46, the mother of an SDN Kaliasin 1 student, noted that families had an important role to play in educating children to keep safe from drugs. “I always remind my child not to accept food from strangers,” she said.
Surabaya mayor Tri Rismaharini said that the Surabaya administration had moved snack sellers away from their spots in front of schools as an early prevention effort against the sale of food containing dangerous substances or drugs. The administration is also working in cooperation with the Surabaya office of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to warn students about the dangers of drugs at elementary and junior high schools.
Information campaign in Pontianak
From Pontianak, it has been reported that the West Kalimantan Police are trying to prevent a renewed increase in drug addiction by instilling an understanding among students about the dangers of drug abuse.
West Kalimantan Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Nananf Purnomo said that the West Kalimantan Police were carrying out an information campaign on the dangers of drugs at schools in Pontianak, so that teenagers would not be easily lured by drug dealers. “We are asking teachers and parents to be proactive. If there are people that look suspicious, immediately report them to the police,” Nanang said.
West Kalimantan Police chief Insp. Gen. Erwin Triwanto hopes that religious leaders, particularly in their sermons, would remind the young generation and the public in general about the dangers of illegal drugs.
West Kalimantan National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Brig. Gen. Nasrullah said there were around 65,000 drug addicts in West Kalimantan. To prevent a growing number of addicts, West Kalimantan BNN has strengthened social groups that are able to carry out antidrug campaigns.
