By: Yusran Faisal )*
The government’s commitment to realizing a drug-free Indonesia by 2025 is not only demonstrated through political statements, but is also realized concretely through collaborative actions across institutions. A series of major revelations in the past few months are proof that drug eradication efforts are not just rhetoric, but real work involving all elements of the nation.
The threat of narcotics in Indonesia has entered a very worrying phase. The circulation of these illicit goods is no longer limited to urban areas or vulnerable points, but has spread to villages and island areas. This indicates that narcotics crimes have infiltrated all aspects of people’s lives. The discovery of evidence of up to tens of kilograms in the Masalembo sea area, Madura, is a real example of how drug syndicates are trying to penetrate the outermost regions of Indonesia.
In facing this situation, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) takes a comprehensive approach. Their steps are not only focused on eradication, but also on prevention and rehabilitation. The approach taken integrates preemptive, preventive, repressive, and rehabilitative. This policy is inseparable from the framework of the 8 Astacita Missions which are the direction of national development. In the seventh mission, the government emphasized the importance of strengthening the national system in preventing and eradicating drugs.
In carrying out this mission, BNN has built strategic collaborations with various institutions such as the TNI, Polri, Customs, BIN, and other institutions. One proof of the success of this synergy is the thwarting of large-scale narcotics smuggling in the waters of the Riau Islands, where within a week the joint forces managed to thwart two major smuggling attempts, with a total of four tons of drugs being secured. This operation is a significant achievement as well as a symbol of the government’s seriousness in securing the country from the threat of drugs.
Strengthening coastal and border areas is also an important part of the national strategy. The government is aware that drug entry routes are not only through official ports, but also exploit gaps in vulnerable points that are difficult to reach. For this reason, intensification of surveillance and development of big data intelligence are important tools in mapping and predicting the movement of drug syndicates that now work transnationally and are neatly organized.
In addition to strengthening the apparatus and technology, thematic policies such as the “Shining Village” program and Community-Based Intervention (IBM) are real efforts by BNN to embrace the community in fighting drug abuse from the lowest level. By involving religious leaders, community leaders, and youth, this program is expected to be able to build collective awareness and revive the social defense system from the threat of narcotics.
The BNN considers that a collaborative approach is very important, as conveyed by the Head of the BNN, Marthinus Hukom, who said that drug crimes are not just a legal issue, but a humanitarian issue that requires the active involvement of all levels of society. He also emphasized that society needs to build collective awareness and a sense of partisanship towards the future of the nation by uniting to reject drugs.
This is reinforced by data revealed by the Deputy for Legal Affairs and Cooperation of the BNN, Inspector General of Police Agus Irianto. He described the narcotics problem as an iceberg phenomenon, where the data that appears on the surface is only a small part of a much more complex structural problem. With more than 46,000 cases and more than 61,000 suspects throughout 2024, as well as evidence reaching tens of tons of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, this situation requires long-term and systemic policies.
Agus also highlighted the importance of a humanist approach to drug abusers and strict enforcement against syndicates. According to him, the balance between humanity and legal firmness is the main principle in BNN’s strategy. In this case, rehabilitation programs are an important instrument in ensuring that drug abusers can return to being a healthy part of society.
On the other hand, the drug eradication strategy also involves cross-agency coordination. Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Lieutenant General TNI Mochammad Hasan, emphasized that the success of uncovering major cases such as in the waters of the Riau Islands is a real reflection of the government’s collective spirit in protecting the people. He showed that drugs are not only a social problem, but also a threat to state resilience, so they cannot be handled partially.
Hasan said that the integrated efforts involving BNN, Customs, TNI AL, and Polri are a model of effective cross-sector cooperation. He also emphasized that the role of the community is no less important. Handling narcotics cannot be successful without the active participation of citizens, both in reporting, education, and in supporting the rehabilitation process.
The government’s commitment is increasingly evident when the synergy between institutions does not stop at just taking action, but continues to be strengthened with public education, community-based approaches, and strict supervision at points vulnerable to drug trafficking. Thus, the target of a Drug-Free Indonesia 2025 is not just a discourse, but a national goal that is being realized gradually and measurably through integrated policies.
The challenges remain enormous, from the entry of new types of narcotics that have not been regulated, to the economic appeal of syndicates that exploit the professions of ordinary people for delivery. However, the government’s determination is unwavering. With cross-agency coordination, smart data-based strategies, and ongoing community participation, the hope of a drug-free Indonesia is not impossible. The government has taken steps, and now it is time for all people to support and maintain these steps.
)* Public Policy Observer, Madani Institute Social Institution
