From drug center to soka crabs and tilapia salina center: A case study of community economic empowerment at ex-drug base of Ujoeng Pacu Village, Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

The social resilience of not being a part of drug dealers in the former drug base is determined by their economic welfare. Growing and sustainable economic prosperity are related to the existence of an economic business that can be run intensively and stable. This article aims to explore the process and success of empowering the ex-drug base community in the village of Ujoeng Pacu, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh. This research was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach. The use of this ethnographic method is to understand the socio-cultural events under study which then display the data by describing these events. The data were collected using the live-in method, observation, in-depth interviews, and document study. This study found that the economic empowerment of the ex-drug base community of Ujoeng Pacu by implementing the cultivation of soka crabs and tilapia salina succeeded in increasing their economic welfare. The success of this empowerment program is passed through the stages of knowledge transfer, stimulus capital, linking marketing networks, and intensive mentoring. Sustainable income and stable welfare have proven to be the main shield for the growth and development of social resilience in the community, and in return, they will not be a part of drug-traffickers.