One of the largest problems faced by the international community today is the problem of the drug trade, affecting nearly every corner of the world. Many previous conventions have been adopted by the United Nations in an attempt to curtail the drug trade, but demand has kept growing. Drug trafficking and other related business has become embedded into many major criminal organizations, operating all around the world. Legalization, reduction of demand and supply, drug abuse, and addiction are all problems that must be handled by the international community.
Most countries do not have a drug problem as large and as widespread is that of Indonesia. Not only is it located near the Southeast Asian Golden Triangle, which produces much of the world’s opium supply, Indonesia is located between the major trafficking routes that link the Golden Triangle to Australia as well. Drug abuse in Indonesia kills an average of 40 people in a day. In 2011, there were an estimated 3.7-4.7 million drug addicts in the whole country, which increased to 5.6 million in 2015. Drug use is dominated by cannabis, heroin, and methamphetamine. Domestic production of amphetamine type stimulants in particular has skyrocketed over the past years. Indonesia has taken a harsh stance on the drug trade by enacting strict laws. Currently, Indonesia has in place a death penalty for drug traffickers. 18 drug traffickers were executed from 2015-2016. However, multiple services have been made available for drug users, including counseling, psychological treatment, and HIV testing.
Despite current efforts, drug demand and supply remains high. Indonesia wishes to work together with its brothers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to tackle the problem of the Golden Triangle, as well as to deal with cross-border trafficking and coordinating drug busts and arrests with other nations. Indonesia believes that international drug prevention should be through the prevention of the transportation of drugs across borders. With better patrol of the land and seas would come a diminished supply of drugs into all nations. For this to happen, Indonesia supports greater law enforcement support and funding.
- Sebastian Padilla
