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.(*)
