Strengthening the Backbone of Drug Treatment: Advancing Quality Standards for Addiction Counselors in Indonesia (Presented by Christ Chicco- Chairman of Indonesian Addiction Counselors Association)

This presentation will be featured at Indonesia 2025, on the 18.09.2025.

Author: Christ Chicco Sijabat

Abstract:

The issue of psychoactive substance misuse remains a serious public health challenge globally and nationally. In Indonesia, 1.73% of the population—or approximately 3,337,000 individuals aged 15 to 64—reported substance use within the past year (Indonesia Drug Report 2024). Of those, only 5,878 accessed rehabilitation services facilitated by the National Narcotics Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and affiliated community organizations. The involvement of multiple ministries as both regulators and operators has resulted in fragmented service delivery, leading to inconsistent care standards, variable staffing qualifications, and non-uniform professional practices. Moreover, current addiction counselor competency standards are not compulsory, and certification access remains limited, leaving significant gaps in workforce capability and accountability.

This presentation highlights the Indonesian Addiction Counselors Association’s strategic efforts to standardize and elevate counselor qualifications through national frameworks, enhanced competency models, and structured accreditation systems. Insights are drawn from multi-sectoral collaboration, policy review, and field-level assessments that address persistent challenges including lack of formal recognition, inconsistent training pathways, and weak oversight mechanisms.

To advance sustainable and high-quality service delivery, Indonesia urgently requires cohesive regulations and policies that formally recognize addiction counselors across all ministries and agencies. These frameworks should define minimum competency standards, certification procedures, oversight institutions, and ongoing professional development protocols. Embedding these components into national policy and aligning them with global benchmarks will strengthen ethical, evidence-based practices and foster a resilient, rights-oriented addiction counseling workforce capable of supporting long-term recovery outcomes.