[hanomantoto]

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Institute for Justice Reform (ICJR) proposes the House of Representatives (DPR) include revising the Narcotics Law in the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). ICJR’s executive director, Erasmus Napitupulu, says amending the Narcotics Law is necessary to tackle prison overcapacity. 

“Narcotics is still our biggest concern,” he said on Thursday, November 7, 2024, adding that narcotics contribute to overcrowding in prisons.

Erasmus refers to the prison fire incident in Tangerang a few years back due to an overcrowded jail. He emphasizes that the government has not been able to resolve this longstanding problem of overcapacity in jails and detention centers.

According to Erasmus, detention centers across Indonesia have exceeded 200 percent of their overall capacity, and 70 percent of convicts in jail are linked to narcotics cases. 

“Drug users are sent to prison, but the mechanisms to hunt down dealers stagnated because the police, prosecutors, and judges are busy with the staggering number of narcotics cases,” he said. 

ICJR believes that it is time for a change. Erasmus says a health approach must be considered for drug users under certain thresholds, so detention won’t be necessary. 

Through the revision of Narcotics Law, Erasmus hopes the relevant authorities can focus on pursuing major drug dealers. “We wish to pursue major drug dealers, not drug users, not those who abuse drugs less than 1 gram,” Erasmus remarked. 

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