The Regional Regulation Formation Agency (Bapemperda) of the Jakarta City Council (DPRD) has finalized deliberations on the draft bylaw on the Facilitation of the Prevention and Eradication of Drug Abuse and Illicit Narcotics Trafficking (P4GN).

Bapemperda Chair Abdul Aziz said discussions on the P4GN draft bylaw had been finalized with executive branch, with several key points agreed upon. One of them concerns funding for drug control efforts in the city.

"We at Bapemperda have completed deliberations on the P4GN draft regulation. One of the main issues is funding. We are proposing an allocation of 0.5 percent of the city budget (APBD) for P4GN implementation," Aziz conveyed on Wednesday (2/11).

He explained that the proposed budget allocation would not only focus on preventive measures but also on the rehabilitation of drug abuse victims. According to him, the limited availability of government-owned rehabilitation facilities remains a major challenge in Jakarta.

"At present, the only rehabilitation center managed by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is located in Lido. Jakarta itself does not yet have a rehabilitation center, forcing many drug victims to seek treatment at private facilities at very high cost," he noted.

Aziz further stressed the importance of strong commitment between the Jakarta government and the City Council in addressing drug-related issues, including the establishment of rehabilitation centers managed by the provincial government.

"We want to share the same commitment that drug control must be handled seriously, not only through prevention but also through proper treatment of victims. With a provincial government-owned rehabilitation center, we will no longer depend on long waiting lists at the central BNN facility," he emphasized.

In addition, he urged the Jakarta administration to strengthen public awareness campaigns and anticipatory measures to ensure drug abuse is not normalized in society.

"Many people still see drugs as something ordinary, even though Jakarta is already categorized as a red zone. This is something we must fight together," he shared.

Aziz added that Jakarta is relatively late compared to other regions in issuing a P4GN regulation.

"Around 30 provinces have already enacted P4GN regulations. Jakarta is among the eight provinces that have yet to do so. Hopefully, this regulation can soon be enacted and followed by a governor regulation so it can be implemented immediately," he asserted.

He expressed optimism that the P4GN regulation would help Jakarta move out of its red-zone status for narcotics. According to him, securing a dedicated budget allocation is key to the policy’s success.

"So far, the main issue has been funding. With a 0.5 percent allocation from the provincial budget, the P4GN program will no longer need to seek funding from various agencies. The funds will already be available, and it will just be a matter of determining the distribution—whether through the National Unity and Politics Agency, the Health Agency, the Education Agency, or other regional offices," he said.