Prabowo Meets with Ministers and BNN Regarding Narcotics; Key Outcomes Revealed

The Head of the National Narcotics Board (BNN), Police Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, has revealed the results of a limited meeting with President Prab ​owo Subianto regarding plans for the rehabilitation of drug convicts within the prison system (Lapas).

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Brian Yuliarto, and the Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria.

“As the Minister of Law stated, we will conduct a more in-depth coordination meeting regarding special rehabilitation efforts for the handling of users or prisoners involved in narcotics cases who have been processed and detained,” Suyudi told reporters.

He was not yet able to disclose the specific details of this plan. According to him, further discussions with relevant ministries are required to formulate the intended rehabilitation process.

However, this rehabilitation is deemed necessary due to the overcapacity occurring in many prisons. Records indicate that 80% of inmates in prisons are narcotics convicts.

“Naturally, this is about how the state responds to this, ensuring that prisoners who genuinely require rehabilitation can still be reached,” he said.

In addition, there were discussions regarding etomidate, which is frequently used in vapes.

“This has also become a concern for the President regarding liquid narcotics. This will be discussed specifically again. Although it is already under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Empowerment, we will continue to explore this to determine what the regulations will look like,” he added.

Separately, the Minister of Law Supratman explained that the President requested that the rehabilitation process be deliberated with the BNN, BRIN, and the Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services, as well as other technical ministries.

“I have been asked to coordinate with several ministries and agencies, including the Head of the BNN, the Head of BRIN, and the Coordinating Minister, to devise rehabilitation plans, particularly concerning drug users and addicts within prisons, which are currently over capacity,” he said.

A follow-up meeting will be held in the near future to formulate the rehabilitation policy for drug convicts in prisons.