BANYUWANGI – The prevention of drug misuse in Indonesia is an important priority for the government. The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) supports the institutional strengthening of the National Narcotics Board (BNN) in multiplying cross-sectoral work to prevent and eradicate drug misuse.
“The Ministry is currently finalizing a study on strengthening BNN institutions in a number of districts/cities to fully support its performance in preventing and eradicating drug misuse,” said PANRB Minister Abdullah Azwar Anas in Banyuwangi, Friday (2/8).
Anas said that the BNN at the district/city level is one of the frontlines in tackling the illicit trafficking of narcotics and drugs.
Coordination and collaboration carried out by each district/city BNN with the police, local government, and various other elements must be done optimally in order to be able to break the distribution chain of narcotics trafficking and eliminate narcotics production throughout Indonesia.
“We will continue to encourage the strengthening of BNN and BNNK institutions so that in the future they will have more impact. Because the challenges ahead will be more severe. Hopefully, collaboration with the regions will have more impact,” he added.
BNN Head Commissioner General Marthinus Hukom said that strengthening efforts to prevent and eradicate the misuse of illegal drugs is needed so that they do not become more widely circulated.
Through the collaborative implementation of the Narcotics Misuse and Illicit Trafficking Prevention Programme (P4GN), it is hoped that the eradication of narcotics can run well.
“The support from the Ministry of PANRB also strengthens the BNN institution in carrying out its duties,” said Marthinus.
He said that the establishment of additional BNNs in a number of districts/cities is an endeavor to prevent and eradicate drug misuse.
He cited the example of Banyuwangi Regency, which today signed a memorandum of understanding with BNN for the establishment of a district-level BNN.
“BNN at the district/city level is committed to taking a persuasive approach, prevention, and rehabilitation for people involved in narcotics. Hopefully this collaboration and what we are doing will be the first step in fighting against the crime of drug misuse,” he said.
