THE ROLE OF THE SOUTH KONAWE POLICE DRUG RESEARCH UNIT IN COMBATING NARCOTICS ABUSE (A STUDY OF THE SOUTH KONAWE POLICE DRUG RESEARCH UNIT).

Abstract

Drug abuse is a legal and social problem that can have serious impacts on security, health, and public order. This condition demands an active role from law enforcement officers, particularly the Narcotics Investigation Unit, in efforts to combat drug abuse. This study aims to analyze the role of the South Konawe Police Narcotics Investigation Unit in combating drug abuse and identify obstacles faced in carrying out this task. This study uses an empirical legal research method with a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were obtained through interviews, observations, and documentation related to the implementation of the South Konawe Police Narcotics Investigation Unit's duties. The results show that the South Konawe Police Narcotics Investigation Unit plays a crucial role in combating drug abuse through preemptive, preventive, and repressive efforts. Preemptive efforts are carried out through providing education and outreach to the community regarding the dangers of narcotics, while preventive efforts are carried out through monitoring areas considered vulnerable, patrol activities, and cooperation with various parties. Meanwhile, repressive efforts are carried out through investigations, inquiries, arrests, searches, confiscation of evidence, and legal proceedings against perpetrators of narcotics crimes. In its implementation, several obstacles remain, including limited human resources, facilities and infrastructure, the vastness of the jurisdiction, and the still low awareness of some members of the public to participate in eradicating narcotics abuse. Therefore, it is necessary to increase personnel capacity, support facilities and infrastructure, and strengthen synergy between the police, local governments, related institutions, and the community so that the eradication of narcotics abuse in the jurisdiction of the South Konawe Police can be implemented more optimally.