Recently, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) successfully seized a ship along with its crew attempting to smuggle 1.5 tons (1,500 kg) of cocaine and 705 kg of methamphetamine. How dangerous are such quantities of narcotics to society?
INDONESIA is indeed a paradise for drug lords and traffickers. Due to relatively light criminal sentences—possibly due to judicial mafia—Indonesia has become a highly attractive destination for drug trafficking. Moreover, Indonesia ranks as the fourth most populous country in the world.
Although law enforcement in Indonesia continues, drug smugglers seem to never learn their lesson. The waves of drug smuggling continue at an alarmingly large scale.
Recently, a video of a press conference by the Indonesian Navy showed the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine in such large quantities that it’s almost unbelievable: 1.5 tons (1,500 kg) of cocaine and 705 kg of methamphetamine.
How many people could become addicted, and how many could die from 1.5 tons of cocaine and 705 kg of methamphetamine? Let’s calculate together, using standards from Recovery By The Sea and Detox Plus in the UK, as well as the National Institute on Drug Abuse and American Addiction Centers in the United States.
1.5 Tons of Cocaine
Based on sources like MedlinePlus and Recovery By The Sea and Detox Plus UK, the average dose of cocaine for one use is 50 mg (0.05 grams). The lethal dose starts from 1.2 grams.
For 1.5 tons of cocaine = 1,000,000 grams. If we assume the average single-use dose is 0.05 grams (50 mg), then this cocaine is enough to be consumed by 30,000,000 people.
According to MedlinePlus and Recovery By The Sea and Detox, an individual typically becomes addicted after five uses. If each use requires 50 mg, the total dose per person for addiction is 250 mg (0.25 grams). Thus, 1.5 tons of cocaine could potentially lead to the addiction of 6,000,000 people!
705 kg of Methamphetamine
How many people can be affected by 705 kg of methamphetamine for a single use? According to sources like the National Institute on Drug Abuse and MedlinePlus, the average dose of methamphetamine for one use is 20 mg (0.02 grams). Therefore, 705 kg of methamphetamine could be consumed by 35,250,000 people.
According to MedlinePlus and Recovery By The Sea and Detox, a person could become addicted after five uses. If each use involves 20 mg, the total dose per person for addiction is 100 mg (0.1 grams). Based on these calculations, 705 kg of methamphetamine could lead to addiction in 7.05 million people.
Research also shows that consuming 100 mg (0.1 grams) of methamphetamine in a single use can be fatal. Therefore, 705,000 grams of methamphetamine has the potential to kill 7.05 million people.
Economic Ruin
Research indicates that the cost to treat a cocaine addict ranges from USD 32,000 to USD 170,000 per year. Assuming USD1 = Rp16,000, the cost to rehabilitate a cocaine addict ranges from Rp 512,000,000 to Rp 2,720,000,000 per year.
Will families rehabilitate their addicted members, or will they just let them be? If the family is wealthy, they are more likely to choose the first option. However, for average families, the second option might be the only choice. For families in poverty, they may have no choice but to resign themselves and pray.
Given the enormous potential losses, the government should enforce super-strict, firm, and maximum penalties for drug abuse. Malaysia and Singapore have long imposed the death penalty for drug traffickers, lords, and distributors. But in Indonesia, many law enforcement officials are part of the mafia network.
* Joko Intarto, Senior Journalist
Source: https://kbanews.com/english-edition/heaven-for-drugs/