DPRD asks the DKI Provincial Government to tighten the permit for the sale of hard drugs, tramadol and the like

JAKARTA - The factions of the DKI Jakarta DPRD revealed the general view in the plenary meeting of discussion of the Regional Regulation Draft (Raperda) on the Facilitation of Prevention and Eradication of the Illegal Use and Illegal Circulation of Narcotics and Narcotics Precursors (P4GN).

One of the main highlights came from the Gerindra Party Faction which assessed that the weak supervision of the sale of hard drugs also opened up room for abuse in the community.

Member of the Gerindra Faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Adnan Taufiq, encourages the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government through the Health Service to tighten the sale of drugs that are classified as hard drugs or require a doctor's prescription.

"The Gerindra Party faction encourages the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, through the DKI Jakarta Health Service, to tighten the issuance of permits for the sale of drugs that are classified as hard drugs or prescription drugs, such as tramadol, trihexyphenidyl, alprazolam, and other similar drugs," said Adnan at the DKI Jakarta DPRD building, Monday, January 19.

Adnan also emphasized the importance of tightening the issuance of prescriptions and monitoring the distribution of drugs to the retailer level so that the gap for abuse can be suppressed from the beginning.

The Gerindra faction considers this step urgent considering the high potential for abuse and the prevalence of the circulation of hard drugs in a number of vulnerable areas in Jakarta. The Tanah Abang area, Jalan Raya Bogor, Jatinegara, to Mangga Besar are often referred to as points of circulation.

In the context of enforcing rules, the Gerindra Faction also asked the DKI Jakarta Satpol PP together with related institutions to be given the authority to take firm action against violations in the field.

"The Gerindra Party faction encourages the DKI Jakarta Satpol PP, together with related institutions, to be given a firm authority to carry out discipline through raids, closures, and legal processes against grocery stores, drug stores, and pharmacies that deliberately sell hard drugs to the general public without a doctor's prescription," he said.

Meanwhile, the NasDem Faction highlighted the aspect of protecting citizens in the implementation of the P4GN policy, especially regarding data collection, mapping of vulnerable areas, and reporting mechanisms. Member of the NasDem Faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Fatimah Tania Nadira Alatas, reminded that this policy should not create social stigma.

"The NasDem faction encourages the local government to protect its citizens without discrimination, the NasDem faction encourages that no village is labeled as a drug village, young people who are suspected should not be because of their place of residence, and there should be no family who is reluctant to seek help because they are afraid of being humiliated or prosecuted legally," said Fatimah.

According to NasDem, the P4GN Ranperda must guarantee the protection of personal data and medical confidentiality of citizens. The principle of respect for human dignity and the right to privacy should not be ignored in any anti-narcotics policy.

"In terms of supervision and evaluation of the P4GN program so that this Ranperda can be effectively implemented, there must be reporting on the performance of the P4GN program of the region related to achievement indicators, external audits, and input from the community," he said.

From the PDI Perjuangan Faction, the spotlight was directed at the root of the problem of drug abuse and circulation which was considered inseparable from the social and economic conditions of the community. Member of the PDIP Faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Gani Suwondo, said that areas with weak economies and high inequality tend to be more vulnerable.

"Existing data shows that the circulation zone of narcotics in the DKI Jakarta Province is an area with weak economic conditions, wide economic gaps (gini ratio), high unemployment rates and other social vulnerabilities," said Gani.

PDIP assesses that the circulation of narcotics is often seen as an economic opportunity by perpetrators, while for victims and users it is triggered by psychological and economic pressures. Therefore, prevention efforts are considered insufficient if they rely solely on legal action.

"Therefore, efforts to prevent and resolve the problem of the circulation of narcotics cannot run on their own without a holistic and comprehensive problem-solving scheme, from upstream to downstream, involving other policy actors," he said.