Collaborating to Fight Drugs to Create a Superior Generation in the Prabowo-Gibran Era
JAKARTA – The threat of drugs is a serious challenge that can damage the future of Indonesia’s golden generation. The Minister of Population and Family Development (Mendukbangga) and Head of BKKBN, Wihaji, emphasized the importance of handling the drug problem as part of efforts to maintain family resilience and ensure the achievement of the golden generation.
“Drugs are a big problem because the targets are humans and families. The Ministry of Education and Culture’s task is to prepare the golden generation. If this problem is not handled immediately, we could lose that generation,” said Wihaji
This statement was delivered during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and Culture/BKKBN and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). The collaboration supports the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Abuse and Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics and Narcotics Precursors (P4GN) for the period 2020-2024.
Although the prevalence rate of drug abuse decreased from 1.95% in 2021 to 1.73% in 2023, the figure still shows a significant threat. The decrease is equivalent to 324,735 people, but the number of drug users in Indonesia still reaches 3.3 million people, especially in the productive age group of 15–64 years.
Head of the Indonesian National Narcotics Agency, Commissioner General of Police Marthinus Hukom, emphasized that combating narcotics is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita Mission.
“Drug abuse remains a major problem in Indonesia, and cross-sector collaboration is key to addressing this challenge,” he said.
In steps to strengthen synergy, BNN RI is also collaborating with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). The focus of this cooperation is the exchange of intelligence information and integrated operations to stop transnational drug networks.
“Collaboration between countries in facing the global challenge of eradicating drugs is a strategic step,” said Commissioner General of Police Marthinus Hukom
The Malaysian police also expressed concern over the drug situation in the country, especially among the youth. “Exchanging intelligence is key to uncovering drug syndicates,” said JSJN PDRM Director Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin.
The most worrying issue is the involvement of teenagers and children in drug abuse. “As many as 312,000 teenagers, including children as young as 10 years old, have been involved in drug abuse. This is really worrying,” said Marthinus.
With cross-institutional and state cooperation, as well as a solid national strategy, it is hoped that the threat of drugs can be suppressed for the future of Indonesia’s golden generation. The government and society need to work together to create a drug-free environment to ensure the sustainability of national development.
