Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) revealed on Thursday (28/12/2023) its collaboration with its counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia to devise  policies for banning the distribution of "kratom," a topical tree native to Southeast Asia whose leaves produces both opioid- and stimulant-like effects.  BNN Chief Commissioner General Dr. Marthinus Hukom said that the cooperation is necessary to formulate the banning  the distribution of kratom based on research, antaranews.com reported. "In principle, we are awaiting the research outcomes. If it must be banned, BNN will abide by the government's decision that is made based on the research findings," he added. Kratom has been in the spotlight after the BNN-Garut District Office exposed the abuse of this tropical tree by several local students. Indonesia remains vulnerable to cases related to drug abuse. A joint survey conducted by BNN  and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in 2019 showed thatdrug users in Indonesia had reached over 3.4 million. The survey conducted in 34 provinces indicated that about 180 out of every 10 thousand Indonesians in the age group of 15 to 64 years were addicted to drugs in the forms of crystal methamphetamine, narcotics, marijuana, and others. (mg/inp/pr/nm)