Drug Addiction Far Worse Than Terrorism: Minister

Yogyakarta (Antara Bali) - Drug abuse is far worse than terrorism as an average of 40 drug addicts die every day, Social Service Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa said.

"We have declared that Indonesia is in a state of emergency over drugs. But the current situation is far worse than the state of emergency as drug abuse affects all professions and age groups," she said while inaugurating an Information and Education Center for Narcotic, Psychotropic and other Addictive Substances (NAPZA) at the Parmadi Putra orphanage here on Thursday.

The center functions to provide information and knowledge to the people to refrain from using narcotic, psychotropic and other addictive substances, she said.

Three of such centers have been built in the cities of Malang, Mataram and Yogyakarta since early this year, while three others will be built later this year.

"The center is important because if we only take measures many people will fall victim to them. Hopefully, children and religious figures alike can learn to identify the dangers and new variants of narcotic, psychotropic and other addictive substances," she stated.

She further asked teachers to bring their students to the center to see the danger of drugs so they refrain from abusing them.

"The center is part of our efforts to prevent drug abuse as early as possible," she stated.  
   Drug trafficking has targeted children to consume drugs through various ways, including candy, she said.

Since 2015, the government has set itself the target of rehabilitating 100,000 drug addicts. (WDY)