RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The emergence of new types of synthetic narcotics, or new psychoactive substances (NPS), poses a growing challenge to Indonesia’s drug eradication efforts.

Their evolving distribution methods, from camouflage in e-cigarette liquids to the misuse of prescription drugs, have prompted the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) to tighten its monitoring system and improve detection capabilities.

BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated that NPS are synthetic narcotics designed to mimic the effects of conventional drugs, but many are not yet fully covered by regulations, complicating supervision and law enforcement.

“The world is currently facing an invasion of NPS. The wide variety of these compounds often means they are not fully regulated,” Taruna said at the commemoration of International Anti-Drug Day in Jakarta on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

One worrying trend, he noted, is the misuse of e-cigarette (vape) liquids as a disguise for liquid narcotics, such as methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids.

BPOM has also observed increasing misuse of prescription drugs and certain medications -- including tramadol, trihexyphenidyl, dextromethorphan, and ketamine -- for psychoactive effects.

In response, BPOM is strengthening its oversight by expanding laboratory capacity, developing analytical methods, and enhancing staff competence to detect the rapidly evolving NPS.

BPOM has also issued Regulation No. 12/2025 on Certain Drugs Frequently Abused to tighten oversight, covering production, distribution, storage, delivery, and destruction.

For liquid vape products, BPOM routinely conducts pre- and post-market supervision and strengthens coordination with law enforcement officials to act against products suspected of containing narcotics, psychotropics, or other addictive substances.

In addition to supervision, BPOM participates in the 2025–2029 National Action Plan for the Prevention and Eradication of Narcotics Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (RAN P4GN) through public education, joint evidence testing with the National Police and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and cross-sector collaboration to disrupt drug distribution networks.

Taruna emphasized that the development of new types of narcotics requires increased vigilance because perpetrators are now using seemingly legal products to smuggle and abuse dangerous substances that threaten the health and future of the younger generation. ***