Unity Is Strength: Time for Aceh to Unite Against Drugs

The commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence reminds us that the struggle to safeguard the nation is far from over. If the heroes of the past fought to seize and defend independence with blood, tears, and even their lives, then today’s generation bears a responsibility no less great: to fill that independence by protecting society and the nation’s young people from various threats, including narcotics.

Independence is not the finish line of a struggle. Independence is instead the beginning of a greater responsibility: how we protect this country, safeguard the people, and ensure that the next generation grows into healthy, resilient, productive human beings capable of carrying Indonesia towards the vision of a Golden Indonesia 2045.

The heroes of the past took up arms to fight colonialism. They sacrificed their wealth, energy, thoughts, and even their lives for a free nation. The form of our struggle today is different. We no longer face colonisers arriving with weapons, but we confront various threats that can weaken the nation from within. One of the most tangible threats is narcotics.

Narcotics do not only damage individual health. Their abuse and trafficking can destroy families, rob the younger generation of its future, fuel criminality, reduce productivity, and ultimately erode the nation’s social resilience at its roots.

Aceh at a Crossroads: Geographic Blessing and the Narcotics Threat

Aceh occupies a highly strategic geographic position. On one hand, this location is a blessing that opens up great opportunities for economic growth, trade, and connectivity with various regions, both domestic and international.

On the other hand, however, this geographic position also brings vulnerability. The extensive coastline and proximity to international trade and shipping lanes can be exploited by narcotics networks to smuggle illicit goods into Indonesia.

The threat is not merely a concern. Facts on the ground show that narcotics remain a serious problem that must be faced together.

Data from the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) indicates a narcotics abuse prevalence rate of 2.11 percent, or around 4.15 million Indonesians, during the 2023-2025 measurement period. This figure shows that the narcotics problem is not confined to any particular group, but is a threat that can touch all layers of society.

In Aceh, the threat is also reflected in a number of case disclosures carried out by BNN throughout 2026. In January 2026, a joint team from BNN RI and Customs foiled the smuggling of 100 kilograms of methamphetamine in Peureulak Timur, East Aceh Regency. In the development of that case, a further 60 kilograms of methamphetamine linked to the same network were discovered, suspected of having connections to the international Golden Triangle syndicate.

Another disclosure occurred in Bireuen Regency, involving the distribution of 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, followed by the uncovering of a case involving 3 kilograms of methamphetamine in July 2026.

Ahead of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, BNNP Aceh also destroyed a 12-hectare cannabis plantation, with an estimated 30,000 cannabis plants ready for harvest, in the Blang Meurandeh area, Beutong Ateuh Banggalang District, Nagan Raya Regency. In the same month, BNN Aceh again foiled the distribution of 43 kilograms of cannabis in North Aceh Regency.

This series of disclosures shows that the war against narcotics requires hard work, consistency, and synergy among all elements of the nation.

Every kilogram of methamphetamine whose distribution we successfully thwart is not merely a figure in an enforcement report. If used as an illustration based on the assumption that one kilogram of methamphetamine could potentially reach around 5,000 people, then the disclosure of 168 kilograms of methamphetamine means there is a potential of around 840,000 lives that we can protect from the threat of narcotics abuse.

Behind those figures are children who can continue to pursue their dreams, families that remain intact, and young people who still have the opportunity to look towards the future.

This is the true meaning of every effort to eradicate narcotics: saving human beings.

Another fact that adds to Aceh’s vulnerability is that around 40 percent of narcotics, particularly methamphetamine, entering Indonesia is suspected to pass through Aceh. This figure should serve as an alarm for all of us. However, that alarm is not meant to frighten, nor to stigmatise Aceh. On the contrary, the figure must be a call for all Acehnese people to rise and build collective strength.

Aceh must not be known only as a region vulnerable to the entry of narcotics. Aceh must become the region strongest in fighting against them.

Do Not Let the Nation’s Children Become Tools of Narcotics Networks

In various disclosures of narcotics crimes in a number of regions across Indonesia, it is not uncommon to find Acehnese citizens involved in narcotics distribution networks, whether as couriers, dealers, or part of larger networks. This is where our hearts should be moved.

To all the people of Aceh, I wish to convey a sincere message: never allow ourselves to become part of the hands that destroy our own nation.

Our ancestors fought with great sacrifice for the dignity of Aceh and Indonesia. They bequeathed to us honour, courage, and the spirit to protect our homeland.

Therefore, it is deeply ironic and painful if today there are those among us who become couriers, dealers, or drug lords for momentary gain, while the victims are our own nation’s children.

Every narcotic distributed through the hands of an Acehnese will ultimately leave wounds in the midst of Acehnese society itself.

Do not let our young people be recruited as couriers. Do not let our communities be exploited by drug lords. And let none of us, consciously or unconsciously, turn ourselves into tools for destroying the nation’s future.

For the most dangerous enemy is not only the threat that comes from outside, but also the threat that grows and develops within our own environment.

Do Not Let Us Be Divided

Amid the very real threat of narcotics, there is one thing we must safeguard together: unity.

Let us unite against drugs. We may have different political choices. We may have different views. We may have different interests, professions, and backgrounds. But when facing narcotics, we must have one voice and one step.

Let not personal and group interests divide us. Let us not be tempted by the lure of instant wealth until we become part of the chain of narcotics distribution.

Narcotics networks never stop moving. They constantly seek gaps, seek victims, recruit young people, and exploit various social and economic vulnerabilities.

Therefore, we must understand clearly: our enemy is not our fellow countrymen. Our enemy is narcotics and the criminal networks that seek to destroy our generation.

On that basis, I call upon all leaders in Aceh, the ulama, religious figures, community leaders, academics, youth, the education sector, the business world, the media, and all levels of society to unite their strength.

Aceh must not walk alone in facing narcotics. Aceh must move together.

Ulama and Community Leaders Are a Moral Force

Aceh has a long history of the strength, courage, and steadfastness of its people. One of Aceh’s greatest strengths is the presence of ulama and community leaders who wield strong influence in shaping the character and morals of society.

The war against narcotics cannot rely solely on legal enforcement. We need family resilience, community resilience, character education, the strengthening of religious values, youth empowerment, and the concern of all components of society.

Ulama and community leaders hold a strategic position to continually remind the public that narcotics are not merely a legal issue, but also a humanitarian, moral, family, and generational issue. Therefore, the voices of ulama, community leaders, educators, parents, and all elements of society must become a strong fortress so that Aceh’s young generation is not easily influenced and recruited by narcotics networks.

Aceh possesses great social capital. We have religious values, customs, culture, local wisdom, and a spirit of mutual cooperation that has been passed down from generation to generation.

This capital must be united into a force to build Aceh Bersinar — an Aceh that is clean of narcotics, socially strong, and resilient in protecting its generation.

In the end, the struggle against narcotics is not only the task of BNN, the police, the government, or law enforcement officers. It is the task of all of us.

If the heroes of the past united to seize independence, then today we must unite to protect that independence so that it is not stolen by narcotics.

For a strong nation is not one without threats, but one that is able to unite in facing every threat.

Let us protect Aceh. Let us save the young generation. Let us close ranks. Because unity is strength, and Aceh must unite against drugs.

Brigadier General of Police Dr. Dedy Tabrani, S.I.K., M.Si., Head of BNN Aceh Province.