Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government is strengthening integrated support for people recovering from substance abuse through a cross-agency initiative covering rehabilitation, vocational training, employment, and empowerment.
The collaboration involves the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Manpower, and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said data integration through the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN) would serve as a foundation for ministries and agencies to implement interventions, ensuring more integrated and effective support for people in recovery.
The cooperation covers six key areas, including integrated and sustainable medical and social rehabilitation, the integration and use of interoperable recovery data based on national identification numbers (NIK), and capacity-building for personnel and rehabilitation service providers.
It also includes vocational training, post-rehabilitation job placement, and the utilization of resources owned by the four institutions.
According to Saifullah Yusuf, the cooperation is an important step toward ensuring that support for people recovering from substance abuse is more targeted, effective, and measurable.
He added that the collaboration is expected to encourage regional governments and institutions to strengthen coordination in addressing substance abuse and supporting people in recovery.
BNN Head Suyudi Ario Seto said approximately 4.15 million people of productive age were exposed to substance abuse during the 2023–2025 measurement period. He said the figure presents a challenge that must be addressed collectively through stronger cross-agency cooperation.
“We hope those struggling with addiction can recover, become productive, earn an income, and regain their confidence to reintegrate into society,” Suyudi said.
He noted that strengthening the use of a unified dataset across ministries and agencies is one of the key steps needed to make substance abuse prevention and treatment more effective.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the MoU would help improve the management of substance abuse cases while addressing limited service capacity, particularly for people experiencing mental health problems related to substance use.
“Those with severe conditions can be treated by the Ministry of Health, while moderate cases can be managed by BNN and, in part, by mandatory reporting recipient institutions (IPWL). Meanwhile, mild cases can be referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he explained.
Once they have fully recovered, he added, the Ministry of Manpower can step in to help them secure employment, maintain their health, and remain productive.
Manpower Minister Yassierli, meanwhile, emphasized his ministry’s readiness to support people recovering from substance abuse in re-entering the workforce and regaining their productivity.
Beyond job placement, the Ministry of Manpower is also prepared to provide entrepreneurship training as an alternative for those seeking to start their own businesses.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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