JAKARTA'S NEW DRUG AGENCY HAS MORE CLOUT

It Will Investigate And Prosecute Offenders To Combat A Rise In The
Trafficking And Use Of Narcotics

JAKARTA - Confronted with an alarming increase in the number of drug users,
the government has set up a more powerful agency to combat drug abuse.

State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin said on Tuesday that
the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) would have the authority to probe and
take legal action against drug users and pushers.

'Drug abuse is an issue that needs immediate attention... We need an
institution with more teeth to tackle this situation because the number of
drug abusers is increasing.'

Indonesia has seen a dramatic rise in the use of narcotics and other banned
substances, turning it from a mere transit point on international
drug-smuggling routes to a burgeoning market.

A survey conducted in Jakarta by non-governmental organisations in October
2000 revealed that an estimated 3.4 million people, or about a quarter of
Jakarta's population, were known to be drug abusers.

Data obtained from police records last year indicated that drug abusers
included teenagers and children in elementary schools.

The anti-narcotics agency, due to start up on Monday, will replace the
National Narcotics Coordination Agency.

The latter does not have the authority to investigate and prosecute drug
abusers.

According to Mr Feisal, BNN will report directly to President Megawati
Sukarnoputri.

Its members include the national police, the Attorney-General, the Ministry
of Justice and Human Rights, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the
Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Control Agency.

Mr Feisal said he would meet national police chief General Da'i Bachtiar
and ministry officials soon to discuss candidates from each respective
department.

The agency will be headed by the national police chief. It will also have
its own budget and regional offices, which will coordinate with a central team.

Seven operational task forces will be created to be in charge of areas such
as implementation of the law and investigation of suspected drug abusers.

'The Vice-President expressed the hope of seeing effective coordination
between the institutions and not just the delegation of responsibilities to
other departments,' Mr Feisal said, adding that Mr Hamzah Haz wanted
harsher punishment for drug users and dealers.