Prabowo Calls for Stronger Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Measures
Kabarsaji.com – President Prabowo Subianto has asked government institutions to strengthen Indonesia’s response to drug abuse, with particular attention to rehabilitation, education and concerns over vape liquids that may contain prohibited substances.
The issue was discussed during a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Several ministers and heads of government agencies attended the meeting, which addressed drug trafficking, young people’s exposure to narcotics and the circulation of vape products suspected of containing anesthetic or narcotic compounds.
The discussions placed prevention and recovery alongside enforcement. Rather than viewing addiction only as a criminal matter, the government is considering how education and rehabilitation can help people affected by drug use rebuild their lives and return to productive roles in society.
Education Seen as Part of Recovery
Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto said the President had directed officials to explore educational approaches within rehabilitation programs. The goal is to ensure that treatment does more than address immediate addiction and can support meaningful long-term change.
“Regarding education for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, the President directed us to examine how the existing education curriculum could be developed to truly bring about change,” Brian said after the meeting.
Brian said the government is working on a more effective model for supporting drug users through rehabilitation. Education is expected to be one component of that effort, especially for younger people who need pathways to recover, develop skills and participate constructively in their communities.
“How can we develop educational and rehabilitation concepts that can truly help young people recover and eventually become productive?” he said.
The emphasis on curriculum suggests that rehabilitation may be considered not only as a health or treatment process, but also as an opportunity to restore learning, discipline and future prospects. For young people whose education or employment has been interrupted by drug use, programs that combine recovery support with educational development could be central to reintegration.
Concern Over Vape Liquids With Prohibited Substances
Access to drugs among teenagers was another major concern raised in the meeting. Officials discussed the emergence of vape products containing substances that should not be present in ordinary vaping liquids, including anesthetic or narcotic materials.
The circulation of such products creates an additional challenge because vaping devices and liquids may appear familiar or less alarming to young users than conventional illegal drugs. The concern is not limited to the products themselves, but also to the possibility that they can make prohibited substances easier to conceal, distribute or try.
National Narcotics Agency, or BNN, chief Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto said the President had specifically raised the issue of narcotics in vape liquids.
“This is also a concern of the President regarding liquid narcotics,” Suyudi said after the meeting.
Suyudi said the BNN will coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to investigate the matter further and prepare regulations intended to address it. That work is expected to involve identifying the substances being circulated, understanding how such products reach consumers and determining what regulatory steps are needed to reduce the risk.
The planned inter-agency response reflects the range of issues involved. Drug prevention requires coordination beyond law enforcement, particularly when products may be sold or presented in forms that can be mistaken for legal consumer goods. Clear rules, investigation and public awareness can all play a role in helping families and communities recognize potential dangers.
BRIN Assigned to Expand Research
Prabowo also asked the National Research and Innovation Agency, known as BRIN, to contribute to the national effort against drug abuse. BRIN chief Arif Satria said the agency had been instructed to reinforce research and innovation aimed at protecting future generations.
“We were asked to strengthen research and innovation related to efforts to protect future generations,” Arif said.
Research can support prevention by improving understanding of changing drug patterns and by helping institutions develop practical tools for detection and intervention. In the context of vape liquids and other evolving forms of drug distribution, reliable testing methods may be especially important for identifying prohibited substances quickly and accurately.
Arif said BRIN will also seek to expand and improve rehabilitation centers. In addition, the agency plans to study the development of drug detection equipment that is affordable and accessible. Such equipment could help extend prevention efforts by making detection capabilities more widely available.
Accessible technology could be valuable for institutions responsible for public safety, health and education, particularly if it helps identify risks before they cause broader harm. The effectiveness of such tools, however, will depend on how they are integrated with rehabilitation services, public education and coordination among agencies.
A Broader Response to a Changing Challenge
The meeting highlighted the government’s intention to respond to drug abuse through several connected measures: investigating trafficking and prohibited products, improving rehabilitation, developing educational support and expanding research-based prevention.
For parents, teachers and communities, the concern over vape liquids is a reminder that drug-related risks can take new forms. Products designed to resemble familiar consumer items may require greater vigilance, particularly where teenagers are concerned. At the same time, the focus on recovery recognizes that people struggling with addiction need opportunities to regain stability and build a productive future.
The next steps will involve work by the BNN, BRIN and related ministries and agencies. Their task is to translate the President’s direction into practical regulations, stronger rehabilitation concepts, research programs and prevention tools that can respond to both established drug threats and emerging methods of distribution.
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