Djarot Calls on Gov't to Increase Drug Eradication Efforts
Jakarta. Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat wants the government to step up measures to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking.
Djarot said narcotics have become a crucial issue facing Indonesia, especially in the capital and that the government should do more to eradicate drug distribution networks to prevent more people from having access to it. This would also involve more sting operations and drug busts.
"The main challenge now is that we must cut off the drug supply so that it won't enter Jakarta. I always encourage efforts to perform sting operations in certain locations, to force drug traffickers to think twice. If they are arrested, I say let's execute them, to have a deterrent effect," Djarot said on Monday (27/03).
He says such measures are effective to create a deterrent effect for both drug pushers and users.
He named the example of dangdut singer and actor Ridho Rhoma, who was recently arrested for the alleged possession of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as sabu.
"Ridho Rhoma was recently arrested. It was said that he has been showing signs of drug abuse over the past two years. It had to be very obvious. What does it mean? It means that family and those in close social circles play a very important role.
Drug addiction does not care about age, as it can even affect children. Therefore, we are very strict about this issue," Djarot added.
The deputy governor also expressed hope for families to play a role in preventing children from drug abuse.
He said it can happen to anyone, regardless of social status, but that it often results from a deviant lifestyle.
Indonesia has imposed strict measures to address drug trafficking in the country. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has ordered the execution of several convicted drug traffickers – both local and foreign – over the past two years.
Jokowi and senior government officials have repeatedly said that the executions were necessary to end what he called a drug emergency.
Watch Indonesia Highlights at 8 p.m. tonight on the Jakarta Globe News Channel and Facebook Live to find out more about the government's efforts to eradicate drug trafficking.
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