by Edgar Allan J. Tac-an

The United Nations and the larger international community criticizedPresident Joko Widodo for the enforcement of the death penalty law in Indonesia.

The President stood for the rule of law and called for countries to respect the sovereignty of the Indonesian law. Enforcing the death penalty is part of JokoWidodo’s war on drugs.

Delegates of different UN countries discussed new alternatives and reforms to tackle drug use and crime penalty.

While some protesters demand a global change in drug policy calling for a more human-centered approach to the drug problem. The International Centre for Science and Drug Policy said the death penalty wasnot acceptable, “We want to see a reorientation away from criminal justice and towards public health,and we don’t want the drug war.”Australian Prime Minister said the death penalty were cruel and unnecessary.

Conversely, a democratic government’s position on the death penalty is largelydeterminedby local public opinion. The extensive public sympathy for survivors of victims of murder, rape and other drug-related crimes give wide public support to the law.

Drug abuse has become a very serious social problem in Indonesia. An Indonesian taxi driver said, “Drugs destroy the lives of children and their families. Those crimes should not be forgiven.”

The Indonesian public has been disgusted with drug-related crimes.

What is happening in Indonesia is true in the Philippines. Those who have a drug problem and an addiction should need treatment and support, but how should a thriving country like ours fights this drug menace?

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“It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” — Proverbs 19:2