PEOPLE WARNED OF PROXY WAR IN PICC TRAFFICKING

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 19 (Antara) -  The people are being warned that the illegal distribution of paracetamol caffeine carisoprodol (PICC) that has taken its toll is part of the proxy war to weaken the resilience of the nation.          Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said rampant drug trafficking is part of proxy war that aims to destroy younger generation.          The minister made the remarks following cases where tens of teenagers were rushed to a hospital in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Province's capital, recently after taking PCC pills.          "Drug circulation has been in a dangerous level and its variants are also diverse, and we have to be more vigilant, as I think this is part of proxy war," the minister said in Jakarta on Monday (Sept 18).          As drugs, according to the minister, are part of a proxy war, they have significant impact that is aimed to destroy the younger generation. With drugs this great nation can easily be weakened.      "Illegal drugs are being used to weaken this huge and promising nation. Probably many parties are worried that Indonesia could emerge as a big nation and will be able to intimidate other parties. This assumption can be 50 percent true (the drug is distributed as part of proxy war) given the fact that this drug is mostly imported," Minister Effendy explained.          He explained the most important drug trafficking is taking place in the border area. For that, he asked the governors in the border areas to supervise drug trafficking especially through certain routes.

SPEEDY ACTION KEY TO FIGHTING PCC ABUSE

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 16 (Antara) - The government has been urged to act promptly to prevent more Indonesians from falling victims to the consumption of paracetamol caffeine carisoprodol (PCC) pills.          Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives, Commission IX, Saleh Partaonan Daulay has called on the government to take immediate steps following several reports of abuse of PCC tablets that has resulted in a high victim count.          "In the last two days, the Social Media Group of Commission IX has been holding in-depth discussions on the issue. Initially, we doubted the truth, but when confirmed, it is true," Daulay noted in a short message received in Jakarta on Friday.          Daulay, a politician from the National Mandate Party, said some parents have already confirmed that their children had become victims of drug abuse.         Hence, Saleh has urged the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to take necessary steps to prevent circulation of the drug. Moreover, the drug had reportedly come from abroad.         "The distribution permit and content must be checked, and if it is dangerous, it should be immediately withdrawn," he emphasized.         According to Daulay, drugs that are not registered with the BPOM should not be circulated, let alone dangerous ones, such as PCC.