Manokwari, W Papua, (Antara)- Coordinating Minister for Law, Security and Political Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan warned the West Papua people of the danger of narcotics and HIV/AIDS.

"It is important for religious  and community leaders to know that millions of Indonesian have been addicted to narcotics," Luhut, who is  a on visit here, said on Saturday.

He said last year, there were at least 5.9 million drug addicts  in Indonesia  and the illicit drug caused the death of 30-50 Indonesians every days.

"It was our official record. The head of the National Bureau of Narcotics (BNN) said the real figure is believed to be higher," he said at a meeting with local religious leaders and regional officials.

He said narcotics and HIV/AIDS are deadly, that serious steps should be taken without delay
 
Religious leaders have an important role in the efforts  to stamp out narcotic traffic  and eradicate HIV/AIDS.

Religious leaders should cooperate with law enforcing agencies in the national campaigns to prevent the spread of the deadly diseases.

"This is serious . What I said is fact. Based on last year's data, narcotics users  increased all over Indonesia," he said.

He said regional officials, community leaders as well as the military and police don't tolerate drug traffickers.

Firm measures is the only solution to end the problem, he added.

User of methamphetamine  and ecstasy grew in number from year to year, he said, adding the number of methamphetamine users grew 350 percent and those of ecstasy rose by 280 percent.

"The users are  our children, our people from Sabang to Merauke," he said.

He said the military and police and BNN  should cooperate  and support each other in the regions to eradicate  narcotics trade.

He said Indonesia is made up mainly of sea territory  and therefore, the country has long coast lines to watch over to prevent  narcotics smuggling.

"You have a big duty to prevent drug smuggling via seas," he said addressing the regional leaders.

Narcotics and HIV/AIDS are serious  problem , a big threat to the productivity   and creativity of the country's younger  generation which is expected to be the future leaders of the country, he said.

Luhut was especially warned the governor  and district leaders in the province of the high cases of HIV/AIDS  in Papua and West Papu8a.

In Jakarta, known  HIV/AIDs carriers make up 1.03 percent of the city population, in Papua  the ratio is higher at 2.4 percent and in West Papua  3.2 percent.

"This needs serious addressing by the regional leaders," he said.(*)

Pewarta: Supervisor

Editor : Chandra Hamdani Noer


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