Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002
Source: Straits Times (Singapore)
Copyright: 2002 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.
Contact:  http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/429

JAKARTA'S NEW DRUG AGENCY HAS MORE CLOUT

It Will Investigate And Prosecute Offenders To Combat A Rise In The 
Trafficking And Use Of Narcotics

JAKARTA - Confronted with an alarming increase in the number of drug users, 
the government has set up a more powerful agency to combat drug abuse.

State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said on Tuesday that 
the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) would have the authority to probe and 
take legal action against drug users and pushers.

'Drug abuse is an issue that needs immediate attention... We need an 
institution with more teeth to tackle this situation because the number of 
drug abusers is increasing.'

Indonesia has seen a dramatic rise in the use of narcotics and other banned 
substances, turning it from a mere transit point on international 
drug-smuggling routes to a burgeoning market.

A survey conducted in Jakarta by non-governmental organisations in October 
2000 revealed that an estimated 3.4 million people, or about a quarter of 
Jakarta's population, were known to be drug abusers.

Data obtained from police records last year indicated that drug abusers 
included teenagers and children in elementary schools.

The anti-narcotics agency, due to start up on Monday, will replace the 
National Narcotics Coordination Agency.

The latter does not have the authority to investigate and prosecute drug 
abusers.

According to Mr Feisal, BNN will report directly to President Megawati 
Sukarnoputri.

Its members include the national police, the Attorney-General, the Ministry 
of Justice and Human Rights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the 
Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Control Agency.

Mr Feisal said he would meet national police chief General Da'i Bachtiar 
and ministry officials soon to discuss candidates from each respective 
department.

The agency will be headed by the national police chief. It will also have 
its own budget and regional offices, which will coordinate with a central team.

Seven operational task forces will be created to be in charge of areas such 
as implementation of the law and investigation of suspected drug abusers.

'The Vice-President expressed the hope of seeing effective coordination 
between the institutions and not just the delegation of responsibilities to 
other departments,' Mr Feisal said, adding that Mr Hamzah Haz wanted 
harsher punishment for drug users and dealers.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager