30 Students in South Sulawesi Undergo Rehabilitation for Drug-Laced Vape Abuse

The National Narcotics Agency of South Sulawesi has stated that 30 teenagers are currently undergoing rehabilitation after using electronic cigarettes, or vapes, containing synthetic narcotics. “For the whole of South Sulawesi, based on those who have come to the BNN, there are around 30 people and we are providing outpatient rehabilitation for users of the synthetic liquid,” said the Director of Eradication and Intelligence for the South Sulawesi BNNP, Commissioner Ardiansyah, on Wednesday (10/6).

Ardiansyah explained that users of vapes containing synthetic narcotics are predominantly teenagers, including those with student status. “There is a mix, some have already graduated, but there are also those who are still in school,” he said.

He detailed that the distribution method for synthetic vapes has evolved; previously, tobacco was used as the medium. However, dealers have now switched to using vape liquid, as it is considered difficult for officers to identify. “So in the past, the synthetic liquid used a tobacco medium. Now they have changed the medium by using liquid. Because with a vape, it is not obvious that the liquid inside already contains narcotics,” he revealed.

The high number of teenagers using synthetic vapes, according to Ardiansyah, is due to the relatively cheap selling price, ranging from IDR 10,000 to hundreds of thousands, making it easy for teenagers to obtain these illicit substances. “Because the price is indeed affordable, which is why students can buy it,” he said.

Ardiansyah hopes for the active involvement of parents, schools, and the educational environment to help prevent the spread of synthetic vapes targeting students through various methods. “We will certainly pursue the perpetrators. They are not just taking profit, but also causing damage. So we will continue to pursue and coordinate as well as collaborate with district police and the regional police,” Ardiansyah stated.