Robert Go, Jakarta – One in 100 Indonesians, or roughly two million people, are hooked on narcotics, according to information provided by the police and several non-government organisations (NGOs) dealing with the drugs problem.

In addition to ganja, activists are also listing putaw, a heroin product that is sold cheaply and is very addictive, as a big threat to Indonesians, particularly the poor.

The lingering economic crisis, experts explained, has contributed to the rise in narcotics abuse, with Indonesians dealing with tougher living conditions and the cash-strapped government devoting meagre resources to combat the scourge.

Commissioner-General Nurfaizi, who runs national anti-narcotics body BKNN, said: "The narcotics problem is one that requires urgent national attention. The situation is critical with more than two million addicts in the country."

The general, formerly head of police in Metro Jakarta, was in Lampung on Sumatra Island yesterday to supervise the destruction of more than four tonnes of ganja. The contraband was part of drug shipments, heading from Aceh province to destinations on Java Island, which had been seized by the local police.

Gen Nurfaizi said: "This is not just a government problem, but one that has to be solved by involving all elements of Indonesian society. The government cannot do it alone."

BKNN secretary, Brigadier-General (Police) Mudjianto, told The Straits Times that the government has been discussing ways in which it could step up anti-drug operations. Customs department in Indonesian ports of entries could get special training on how to spot drug shipments and smugglers.

Local police departments would also conduct more roadblocks and cargo- inspection operations, especially along known drug-trafficking routes. "It's both a prevention-oriented approach and one that emphasises more law- enforcement measures," he said.

More and more Indonesian NGOs have focused on the nation's drug problems, but activists also said that the government has not properly addressed the issue for the last five years.

Ms Sri Daryanti, programme director for the Humanity Committee Indonesia (KKI), said: "Narcotics abuse is an extension of the crisis and poverty. Our information reveals that no area of Indonesia is free of narcotics and it's crucial that we start prevention programmes now to educate the young." KKI previously focused on poverty issues, but the NGO recently added anti- narcotics measures into its agenda.

"Indonesia's NGOs, especially those working to deal with poverty issues, have come to realise that drug abuse is becoming a big problem for the poor," Ms Sri added.

Mr Budi Rahardjo, head of NGO group Ridma, said: "Law enforcement has become weaker and the situation more chaotic during the crisis. The government should have become more serious about this problem a few years ago."