Government Integrates Handling of Drug Abuse Victims

The Ministry of Social Affairs, together with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Manpower, and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen the integrated handling of victims of narcotics, psychotropic, and other addictive substance abuse (Napza), from rehabilitation to empowerment.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that data alignment through the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) serves as the basis for each ministry and agency to carry out interventions according to their respective duties and functions. Thus, the handling of victims can be conducted in a more integrated and effective manner.

“So far, we have certainly been working, but according to the President’s directive, we are asked to start from the same data. The data held by BNN, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Manpower will later be the same,” said Gus Ipul.

This collaboration covers six scopes, ranging from the integrated and sustainable implementation of medical and social rehabilitation, the integration and utilisation of interoperable single recovery data based on the National Identity Number (NIK), to capacity building for human resources among rehabilitation officers and service providers. The cooperation also includes market-based vocational skills training for survivors, post-rehabilitation job placement, and resource utilisation involving the optimisation of facilities, infrastructure, and assets owned by the four institutions.

“It is hoped that our work can be more targeted, effective, measurable, and able to help these survivors return to a normal life in the midst of society,” he explained. He added that the collaboration could motivate regional governments and institutions to strengthen synergy in handling drug abuse victims.

BNN Chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto noted that approximately 4.15 million people of productive age were exposed to drug abuse between 2023 and 2025. This situation presents a challenge that must be addressed together and concretised through strengthened cross-ministerial and inter-agency cooperation.

“Of course, we are not standing idly by; we have been working to this day and hopefully we can become even stronger. We hope that our brothers and sisters who are ill can recover, become productive, earn an income, and regain their confidence in society,” said Suyudi.

Similarly, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the MoU would make the handling of drug abuse more effective while addressing the issue of limited service capacity, especially for victims experiencing drug substance disorder. “Those who are severely ill can come to me (Ministry of Health), those who are moderately ill can go to BNN and perhaps some to the Mandatory Reporting Recipient Institutions (IPWL). But those with mild conditions might be shifted to the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he said.

Once everyone has recovered, he said, the Ministry of Manpower can assist them so they can work again, be healthy, and be productive. “We are ready to provide services for them to be placed according to the skills they possess,” said Minister of Manpower Yassierli. In addition to job placement, the Ministry of Manpower is also ready to provide entrepreneurship training as an alternative for those who wish to become productive again through independent businesses.