Is Barbiturates legal in Aceh (Indonesia)?
- Legal status
- Barbiturates are governed in Aceh by national law as Psikotropika substances (Law No. 5/1997) — phenobarbital/barbital in Golongan IV, the sedative-hypnotic barbiturates in Golongan III; the Qanun Jinayat (Qanun No. 6/2014) does not cover narcotics or psychotropics.
- Consequences if caught
- National-law penalties apply (up to 5 years and/or Rp 100 million, Pasal 62); the Qanun's caning provisions target alcohol, not barbiturates. The death penalty is reserved for Narkotika Golongan I under Law No. 35/2009 — barbiturates are not death-eligible.
- If prescribed or medical
- Phenobarbital is dispensed as a Golongan IV antiepileptic (a WHO Essential Medicine) under national law; the higher-tier barbiturates are tightly controlled.
- Documentation
- Carry a prescription and original packaging; declare controlled medicines.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Aceh (Indonesia)’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →