Mental Health Policy in the Management of NAPZA Substance Use Disorders

This presentation will be featured at Indonesia 2025, on the 17.09.2025.

Author: Imran Pambudi

Abstract:

The issue of drug (NAPZA) abuse at the global, regional, and national levels remains a serious public health issue, with widespread impacts on social, economic, and security domains. Based on the 2023 National Survey on Drug Abuse conducted by BNN, BRIN, and BPS, the prevalence rate of drug abuse in Indonesia among individuals aged 15–64 years was1.73%, equivalent to approximately 3.33 million people. Furthermore, the prevalence rate of drug use was 2.20%, or approximately 4.24 million people. This issue and trend of NAPZA use is not limited to urban areas; they have also spread to rural communities, with users ranging from teenagers to adults.

Therefore, President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran, initiated the Astacita program, which includes strengthening political, legal, and bureaucratic reform as well as strengthen the prevention and eradication of corruption and drug abuse. As part of the accelerated anti-drug initiative, a Drug Eradication Task Force (Desk Pemberantasan Narkoba) was established, involving relevant ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Health has joined both the Prevention Task Force and the Rehabilitation Task Force.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, as one of the institutions responsible for the implementation of medical rehabilitation for drug abuse under Law No. 35/2009 on Narcotics, has conducted orientations and trainings for healthcare workers in primary and referral health facilities (FKTP/FKRTL). So that they are able to carry out promotional, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative activities for drug addiction within communities.

Active public participation is key to the success of addressing drug abuse issues, especially in terms of prevention. Rehabilitation services for NAPZA have been coordinated and synergized among service providers and across ministries/agencies, covering physical, mental, and social aspects. The Ministry of Health is also working on developing a community-based medical rehabilitation service network model.

To expand access to drug rehabilitation services and make them more accessible to the public, 1,494 Institutions for Mandatory Reporting (IPWL) were designated under the Minister of Health Decree No. HK.01.07/MENKES/141/2025 concerning the appointment of IPWLs and facilities leading and supporting methadone maintenance therapy programs. These IPWL services are spread across 35 provinces, comprising 326 hospitals, 908 community health centers (Puskesmas), and 260 clinics/local health centers (Loka).

Based on Ministry of Health data, around 2,646 drug addicts, abusers, and victims were rehabilitated in 2023, approximately 5,087 in 2024, and roughly 2,780 people in the second quarter of 2025. These numbers continue to rise thanks to collaborative efforts by the Rehabilitation Task Force and regular meetings to discuss progress and follow-ups for continuous improvement. The goal is to strengthen referral systems and service networks, ensuring that drug prevention and rehabilitation efforts are increasingly effective, high-quality, and sustainable—with the involvement of all elements of society.