Antara Supports Anti-Narcotics Agency in Fight Against Drug Abuse

Jakarta, (Antara)- Indonesia's national news agency Antara has voiced its support to the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (BNN) in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

Antara's News Director Aat Surya Safaat and member of Antara's Supervisory Council Boni Hargens presented a draft agreement on cooperation in drug-related news dissemination to BNN Head Commissioner General Budi Waseso at the BNN Headquarters, here, Friday.

The cooperation is aimed at intensifying the reporting and publication of illicit drug eradication activities in the country, Aat stated.

"Cooperation with the BNN was established earlier, but it was ineffective. I hope that the cooperation would work better in future," he remarked.

Hargens explained that Antara intends to publish every activity of and issue handled by the BNN.

The new president director and directors of Antara are ready to strengthen state institutions such as the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police, and BNN.

"Antara has news portals and a TV channel, which can cover the activities of BNN at all times. Basically, Antara is ready to support all state institutions in their efforts to maintain the state's dignity," Hargens noted.

Com. Gen. Budi Waseso expressed his gratitude to Antara for its readiness to help disseminate news on illicit drug eradication activities throughout the country.

He affirmed that not every media network had the awareness to support a campaign on the dangers of drug abuse.

"I hope that all media networks in the country would help the BNN by disseminating news on drug eradication efforts in Indonesia. This is crucial as Indonesia is in a state of drug emergency," he emphasized.

The fight against drug abuse in the country could not be tackled by the agency alone, but it should be supported by every component of the nation as it concerns the people of all ages, from children in kindergarten to elderly people, according to Waseso.

Besides this, the agency has limited funds, and therefore, it needs to invite other institutions to help conduct public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse, he added.(*)