Recognizing the increasing number of drug users in Indonesia within the last couple of years, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is partnering with Muhammadiyah to combat drug use.

The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 26th at Muhammadiyah headquarters. Involvement of Muhammadiyah is expected to significantly reduce the amount of drug users and sellers in Indonesia, BNN head Anang Iskandar said.

"Muhammadiyah has an important role in our society," said a spokeswoman for the agency, Yessy Weningati. "The second largest Muslim organization also has a lot of followers among youth. As we know, youth are a big target for drugs. Therefore, we are expecting that they [Muhammadiyah] will provide a positive influence."

BNN has an aggressive programme for Prevention and Eradication of Illicit Drug Abuse (P4GN), she said, but needs partners in civil society.

"We cannot work on our own. We need support from everyone including from Muhammadiyah," she told Khabar Southeast Asia.

According to BNN, the number of the drug users in Indonesia has reached 4 million. However, per the BNN portal, only 18,000 people are treated in rehabilitation facilities.

Encouraging Muslims to avoid drugs

According to the MoU, published on Muhammadiyah and BNN's websites, the two entities will collaborate in various ways, including by providing educational materials on the dangers of drug abuse, conducting drug testing, building awareness of the need to report addicts, and supporting institutional rehabilitation efforts.

"I believe, with this program, we will encourage more Muslims to avoid drugs. Muhammadiyah is very solid as Indonesia's second largest Islamic organization," said Yuni Rahmat, a 23 year-old graduate student at the Atmajaya University, Jakarta.

"Muhammadiyah has many universities, hospitals as well as various youth groups located in many cities spread all over Indonesia. Therefore, any positive influence from Muhammadiyah followers will benefit efforts to combat drugs," she said.

"I think this is a good collaboration," agreed Syamsu Al Rizal, a 45-year-old Muhammadiyah follower and activist from Tangerang, West Java. "Our country is depending on our young generation...We need to train our children to say no to drugs."

A student network

According to BNN official Gun Gun Siswadi, BNN and Muhammadiyah will use the universities to build a strong anti-drug network among students.

"We hope with a clear explanation and some evidence, we will be able to convince students of the dangers of drugs," he told Khabar over the phone.

Mutia Hariati Hussein, of Muhammadiyah University (UMY)'s Bureau of Quality Assurance, said that when someone is ensnared by drugs, it is very difficult for that person to get free. "Therefore, prevention efforts should be done as early as possible…Preventative efforts not only depend on providing information about drugs, but also by giving real examples of how drugs can be a significant negative influence," she said.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X said that based on research conducted by BNN and the University of Indonesia in 2012, the percentage of drug users in the Special Region of Yogyakarta has reached 2.72 %, and an estimated 68, 980 people are victims of drug abuse.

"All people in Yogyakarta are responsible for this number. We hope with the cooperation of BNN and Muhammadiyah, the number can be reduced and in the future," he said.