REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PANGKALPINANG -- Indonesian Defense Forces Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo has reiterated his declaration of war on drugs because they have weakening the strength of Indonesia.

"The government, TNI and National police have declared a war on drugs because they have become a real threat for this nation," he told participants of a youth training program here Tuesday.

The drug trafficking activities target various elements in Indonesian society, including children and young people. Among those affected by these drugs are the military and police personnel a well as government officials, he said.

"Therefore, I do call on our young people to avoid any kind of drugs and not to get involved in these addictive goods," he told the participants of a program called the integrated training for "Taruna Wreda Nusantara".

The whole young Indonesians, including cadets of the military and police academy and university students, should strengthen their self-identity for defending themselves from the traps of drug traffickers, he said.

The integrated training program for the youths representing various parts of Indonesia is participated in by 1,627 people, including 417 cadets of the Indonesian Military Academy and 200 local university students.

In response to the real threats of drugs, President Joko Widodo has repeatedly stated that Indonesia is in a state of emergency over drugs, which cause the deaths of nearly 40-50 Indonesians every day.

Statistics show that Indonesia has an estimated 4.5 million people affected by drug consumption, of whom 1.2 million cannot be rehabilitated due to their poor health conditions.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika