ASPEK-ASPEK YURIDIS UNTUK MEWUJUDKAN PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP ANAK SEBAGAI KORBAN PENYALAGUNAAN NARKOTIKA

Abstrak

The rising number of children falling victim to narcotics abuse in Indonesia has created complex legal issues, highlighting the urgent need for child-focused protection based on their fundamental rights. This study aims to analyze the existing legal provisions related to the protection of children as victims of narcotics abuse, examine the implementation within the juvenile criminal justice system, and identify juridical and structural barriers that hinder the effectiveness of such protection. The research adopts a normative juridical method with statutory and limited empirical approaches conducted at the Medan Metropolitan Police (Polrestabes Medan). The findings reveal that, normatively, protection mechanisms are provided under Law No. 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System, Law No. 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, and Law No. 35 of 2009 on Narcotics. However, in practice, these protections face several obstacles, including the prevailing punitive approach, inadequate rehabilitation access, and lack of institutional coordination. This research emphasizes the need for policy reform and the application of restorative justice principles, prioritizing the best interest of the child within the justice process.