By: Andi Mahesa)*

Eradicating drugs in Indonesia has become one of the major challenges faced by the Indonesian nation. Not only does it damage the younger generation, but it also threatens social and economic stability as a whole. In this increasingly urgent situation, President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized his commitment to combating drugs through the  Asta  Cita principle  which is a reference in his leadership. One important aspect of this vision is the empowerment of security forces to act quickly and effectively in eradicating drug trafficking in Indonesia.

Drugs are not just about the impact on individual health. Drug abuse is the root cause of a number of social problems, from street crime, gang fights, to illegal trade networks involving transnational organizations. Not only that, drug addiction also affects economic productivity, because those who are caught up in the world of drugs tend to lose their maximum potential as productive workers.

Success in combating drugs depends not only on state policy, but also on the rapid response and coordination between the security forces involved. In carrying out his leadership, President Prabowo prioritizes the principle of  Asta Cita , which has a deep meaning as a guideline for creating a better Indonesia. This principle includes the ideals of maintaining peace, justice, and prosperity for all Indonesian people. In the context of eradicating drugs,  President Prabowo’s Asta Cita  emphasizes three main pillars: strengthening the security forces, strict law enforcement, and comprehensive prevention.

The Director of Drug Investigation of the Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Manang Soebeti followed up on President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions regarding the seventh point of the President’s Asta Cita regarding the eradication of drugs. As an initial step, Manang Soebeti inaugurated a rehabilitation institution. The inauguration of the  drug rehabilitation institution  owned by the Yayasan Generasi Muda Bernilai (Gemuni) was carried out by Senior Commissioner Manang after the Chief of Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo received direct instructions from President Prabowo. One of the instructions was to focus on handling drug prevention.

According to Manang, the inauguration of the rehabilitation institution is one of the most important things in the eradication and prevention of drugs. Kombes Pol Manang said that this rehabilitation institution is ready to help drug addicts, both those who come voluntarily and compulsorily, with a capacity of around 60 patients.

The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police, Commissioner General Wahyu Widada also said that the Chief of Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has instructed all ranks to continue to play a role in resolving the handling of drug problems from all lines, from upstream to downstream. According to him, drug eradication must be carried out non-stop starting from the supply and demand side, so that drug eradication can be carried out comprehensively.

Following up on the direction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the Chief of Police, Wahyu said that the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police together with the ranks of the Regional Police and related agencies, namely the Attorney General’s Office, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), PPATK, and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise are working together to carry out joint operations in an effort to eradicate narcotics.

Wahyu said that from the joint operation, the Police have named 136 suspects. The evidence that was successfully confiscated was 1.7 tons of crystal methamphetamine, 1.12 tons of marijuana, 357,731 ecstasy pills, 932.3 grams of ketamine, 127,000 double L pills, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 9 kilograms of synthetic tobacco, 25.5 kilograms of hashish, 4,110 grams of MDMA, 8,157 pills of mepherdrone and 2,974.9 grams of happy water. According to him, from the total evidence of drugs that were secured, if it had circulated in the community, 6,261,329 lives would have been saved.

In addition, based on financial analysis conducted by PPATK, Wahyu said that the money turnover and transactions from the network reached Rp59.2 trillion. His party emphasized that it would impoverish drug dealers by implementing the Money Laundering Crime Article (TPPU) to provide a deterrent effect.

Wahyu also said that the Chief of Police has emphasized to take firm action against drug dealers, including if there are law enforcement officers involved. Furthermore, he said that this eradication effort must be accompanied by prevention efforts. All ranks of the police must actively collaborate with the community so that a deterrent and preventive force is formed against drug trafficking in the surrounding environment.

Various efforts made by security forces are part of the Police’s protection of the community from the dangers of illegal drug trafficking, especially the younger generation in realizing the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045. The Police’s struggle is carried out consistently and is an integral part of a shared commitment for a better Indonesia free from the dangers of narcotics. This step is not just an operation, but a national movement that saves every element of society from the threat and trap of drugs.

Meanwhile, in East Kalimantan, Head of Public Relations Division of the East Kalimantan Regional Police, AKBP I Nyoman Wijana said that the East Kalimantan Regional Police Narcotics Investigation Directorate has again demonstrated its commitment to eradicating narcotics trafficking in the East Kalimantan region. The Narcotics Investigation Directorate has succeeded in uncovering a narcotics case by arresting one suspect and evidence of 8 kg of crystal methamphetamine suspected of originating from Malaysia.

The police will continue to fully support the Asta Cita program as part of the national effort to create a healthy, safe, and drug-free society, and the arrest should be a reminder that we must remain vigilant against the threat of narcotics that can damage the nation’s generation.

Eradicating drugs is a long struggle that requires collaboration from various parties and sincerity in implementing firm, fast, and coordinated steps. Through the  Asta Cita principle , President Prabowo invites all elements of the nation to work together to eradicate drugs by placing security forces as the front guard, fair law enforcement, and sustainable prevention. The fast movement of security forces in facing the challenge of drugs, supported by appropriate policies and active participation of the community, will be the key to success in creating a drug-free, safe, and prosperous Indonesia.

)* The author is a student who lives in Jakarta.