DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesia Launches National Campaign to Prevent Drug Misuse in Riau Islands

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Indonesian authorities launched a national campaign to prevent the misuse of certain drugs in the Riau Islands province.
  • The campaign targets the rising use of these drugs in entertainment venues, with a focus on protecting young people.
  • Collaboration between the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga), and local governments aims to combat drug abuse.

Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) have initiated a national campaign in the Riau Islands province to combat the misuse of certain drugs. This action comes in response to intelligence data indicating an increase in the use of these substances in entertainment venues.

The misuse of these drugs is becoming more massive and different from narcotics, even though the effects are similar.

· Prof. Taruna IkrarHead of BPOM RI explaining the growing problem of drug misuse.

BPOM Chief Prof. Taruna Ikrar highlighted that the misuse of these drugs, while having similar effects to narcotics, is becoming more widespread. The agency closely monitors 12 types of these drugs, including Tramadol and Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. In 2025 alone, BPOM seized approximately six billion illegal capsules across Batam, Banten, Bandung, and Semarang.

Ikrar stressed the critical importance of safeguarding the younger generation, citing World Health Organization data that one in seven individuals aged 14-19 uses these drugs. The Riau Islands were chosen as the campaign's focal point due to their vulnerability to drug abuse and trafficking via sea routes. BPOM, Kemendukbangga, and local authorities are committed to this fight to protect the nation's youth.

It is very important to save the younger generation from the exposure of these drugs, considering WHO data shows one in seven children aged 14-19 uses these drugs.

· Prof. Taruna IkrarBPOM Chief emphasizing the urgency of the issue for young people.

The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), represented by Deputy Head Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, expressed support for the national action, emphasizing the need for inter-ministerial collaboration. Kemendukbangga pledged to work with BPOM and local governments, utilizing programs for adolescents and youth counseling centers. Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad underscored that combating drug abuse is a shared responsibility, urging media involvement and promising provincial government support through school outreach programs in collaboration with BPOM Batam and other stakeholders.

This national action is the responsibility of all parties, including the mass media.

· Ansar AhmadGovernor of Riau Islands on the shared responsibility to combat drug abuse.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog