Currently, drug abuse (drugs, psychotropic substances, and addictive substances) is still a global and national health problem. The circulation and abuse of drugs has a negative impact on the future because it can threaten the health of the younger generation. Therefore, the Postgraduate Student Association of the Faculty of Public Health (FPH), University of Indonesia (UI) organized an online seminar themed “Comprehensive Discussion: A Closer Look to Handle Drug Abuse” on Friday, October 28, 2022.
Dr. Budi Hartono, S.Si, M.K.M., Coordinator of the Global Environment and Health Course was present to open this online seminar. According to Doctor Budi, this theme is very important and relevant to the current condition where the death rate due to drug abuse is increasing. “Hopefully this seminar can bring benefits to all of us and become one of our efforts to overcome this drug abuse problem together,” said Doctor Budi.
Also present was Dr. Ir Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs of FPH UI. “Indonesia is currently experiencing a drug emergency problem. Based on data from the Badan Narkotika Nasional / National Narcotics Agency (BNN), an average of 50 Indonesians die every day due to drugs. This is quite alarming considering that drugs can have a negative impact in the long-term,” said Doctor Asih. According to Asih, drug abuse also has a correlation with the accessibility of the internet. The internet, which is accessible to all, makes it easier for Indonesians to be exposed to negative content, including drug abuse.
Brig. Gen. Pol (P) Apt. Drs. Mufti Djusnir, M.Si., from the Expert Group of the National Narcotics Agency for Pharmacy was the first speaker who delivered the material “Indonesia’s Challenges in Handling Drug Abuse”. In his presentation, Brigadier General Mufti talked a lot about the risk level of drug addiction and regulations regarding drugs in Indonesia. In addition, the issue of the discourse on the legalization of marijuana was also discussed. “Actually, we do not want to legalize marijuana plants, but only one of the elements in marijuana, namely Cannabidiol (CBD). Don’t use the term legalization of medical marijuana for the sake of medical purposes anymore. It should be changed to the legalization of Cannabidiol for medical purposes,” explained Brigadier General Mufti.
“Drug abuse is classified as a health problem. This can be a risk factor for disease, especially HIV. People who use drugs have a 35x higher risk of getting HIV,” said Ade Aulia, S.Psi, MAP, Programme Coordinator Drug Problems UNODC Indonesia in the material “Drug Abuse in Global Level: What We Can Do Together?”. Currently the world already has 3 conventions to address the problem of drug abuse, such as the Single Convention United Nations 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances United Nations 1971, and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances United Nations 1988. Efforts to overcome the circulation of illegal drugs are also focused on two things, preventive efforts by reducing supply and countering efforts by strengthening international standards and collaborating between the government, private sector, academics, and the community.
The event was then closed with a presentation from Boston Scientific, a company engaged in medical devices. The presence of this online seminar is expected to provide the proper knowledge and information to control and prevent the circulation of dangerous drugs for the people of Indonesia. (WR)