Ministry of Social Affairs Partners with Banda Aceh BNN to Ensure Aid Reaches Former Drug Users Accurately

The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), through Sentra Darussa’adah Aceh Besar, has partnered with the Banda Aceh City National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to synchronise data on beneficiaries who are former drug users (eks Napza) in order to ensure that assistance reaches the right targets. The coordination took place at the BNN Kota Banda Aceh office on Wednesday (15/4).

Head of the Former Drug Users and HIV Working Group at Sentra Darussa’adah, Farhan Fathur, stressed the importance of data validity in determining recipient eligibility. The National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) serves as the primary reference, which needs to be enriched with BNN data on post-rehabilitation recipients and empowerment programmes.

“More complete data helps ensure that assistance is not misdirected,” he stated in a written release on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

He mentioned that the verification process is conducted rigorously. In one case, out of five proposed recipients for business capital assistance, only one was deemed eligible after verification.

“This demonstrates the importance of data alignment and comprehensive assessment before aid is disbursed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Eradication at BNN Kota Banda Aceh, Ridha Firdaus, expressed thanks for the visit and information regarding the ATENSI programme.

“Going forward, we will coordinate regarding former drug users registered with BNN Kota Banda Aceh who have returned to the community, including some who are currently undergoing training at the Aceh Manpower Training Centre (BLK) under the Ministry of Manpower,” he said.

The meeting also discussed recipient criteria, verification mechanisms, and the exchange of field condition information.

Both parties agreed to follow up on the coordination through data exchange and ongoing communication, particularly for the Banda Aceh City area.