REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the Indonesian Miniature Park, East Jakarta, on Thursday.

The event was attended by Chief of the National Narcotic Agency (BNN) Com. Gen. Budi Waseso, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces General Gatot Nurmantyo, and Deputy Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly Oesman Sapta Odang, among others.

This year, the event is themed "Active Role and Empowerment of Every Component and Potential of the Nation in Facing Drug Emergency Situation Toward Healthy Indonesia."

Several students, prominent figures, and NGO activists also took part in the event.

Indonesia views drug abuse as a real threat to the nation since the country has about four million drug users.

According to the BNN, drug abuse leads to the deaths of 33 Indonesians, mostly young men, every day.

Indonesia is one of the few countries to have imposed the harshest drug laws in the world. The country executed 14 drug convicts in 2015 and four last year.

President Joko Widodo has declared that Indonesia is in a state of drug emergency.

Meanwhile, to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that falls on June 26 every year, the United Nations has called on all countries to honor their commitments to addressing the scourge and to ensure that steps taken do not violate human rights and promote equality, peace, security, and sustainable development.

"Despite the risks and challenges inherent to tackling this global problem, I hope and believe we are on the right path, and that together we can implement a coordinated, balanced, and comprehensive approach that leads to sustainable solutions," UN Secretary-General António Guterres had stated on June 26 this year.

The theme for the 2017 edition of the day, Listen First - Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe, builds on the theme for the commemoration last year, as an initiative to increase support for the prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment for the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.

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