Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jan 2003
Source: Jakarta Post (Indonesia)
Copyright: The Jakarta Post
Contact:  http://www.thejakartapost.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/645
Author: Damar Harsanto

DRUGS PROBLEM EXTREMELY ALARMING, SAYS EXPERT

Drug trafficking and abuse in Jakarta are increasing at an extremely 
alarming rate due to abundant supplies of drugs on the market, an expert said.

"Data shows a declining trend in drug addicts asking for treatment from 
drug rehabilitation centers. That's extremely alarming as it implies there 
are abundant supplies on the market that are accessible to drug addicts so 
that they do not suffer severe craving for drugs that forces them to seek 
help at rehabilitation centers or hospital," said Dadang Hawari Idries, a 
professor of psychiatry of the University of Indonesia.

Jakarta Hospital for drug addicts reported declining trends in drug addicts 
being treated by the hospital from 1999 to 2001, or from 9,714 patients to 
4,108 patients.

Based on that data, Dadang asserted, the number of drug abusers in Jakarta 
could stand at 10 times the reported cases.

In its year-end report, the police revealed that the number of drug cases 
had jumped significantly, up 44 percent to 2,642 cases in 2002 from 1,831 
cases in 2001.

"You can imagine that if every drug addict consumes one gram of heroin 
priced at Rp 100,000 (US$11) per day. What a massive amount of money was 
taken from the economy," Dadang remarked.

Dadang blamed the abundant supplies of drugs on the market and the corrupt 
law enforcers.

"It is a public secret that law enforcers, including police and judges, are 
not serious in quashing drug trafficking, they are even behind the drug 
trafficking. In some cases, we have witnesssd that they too consume drugs," 
Dadang said.

Dadang was referring to the recent death of a police officer from a drug 
overdose on New Year's Eve.

In a related development, two other officers were dismissed for being 
suspected of involvement in a "drug party" at the Athena discotheque on Jl. 
Kali Besar, Tambora, West Jakarta, during the New Year's Eve celebrations.

"No charges have been made against those officers so far. They must also be 
sent to court. Otherwise, they could roam freely to protect drug 
trafficking," said Dadang.

Last year, four police were dismissed for their involvement in drug related 
cases, insignificant when compared to 63 other officers who were dismissed 
for other cases like polygamy and desertion.

Dadang asserted that law enforcers must first purge themselves of drugs if 
they are to wage war against drug trafficking.

Activist Veronica Colondam of foundation Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB) 
said combating drugs was everyone's business.

"The war against drug abuse must involve all parties as regardless of their 
walk of life, no social strata of society is untouchable when it comes to 
drug abuse," Veronica said.

On top of that, Veronica said, the protracted economic crisis and uncertain 
political situation also contributed to the upsurge in drug trafficking 
thus leading to a massive influx of drugs on the market.

Affordable drugs due to the abundant supplies of drugs in the market makes 
it easier for people to obtain the substances and consume them regularly.

"Drug trading is a lucrative business amid the battered economy and high 
level of unemployment," said Veronica.

Massive layoffs of those working in formal sector, for instance, have 
resulted in huge number of unemployed people which later turn to drugs and 
become drug pushers.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Andi Chaeruddin 
told The Post recently that police had made the war against drug 
trafficking its top priority along with war on terrorism and corruption.

"We will not tolerate drug abuse as it threatens the lives of the young 
generation," said Andi.

Last year, the police succeeded to solving 2,571 cases implicating 2,703 
suspects comprising 2,662 Indonesians and 41 foreigners. The police also 
seized 263 kilograms of marijuana, 143 kilograms of heroin, 55 kilograms of 
crystal methamphetamine (shabu-shabu), 8.5 kilograms of cocaine, 4,985 
ecstasy pills, and 5,321 other samples of other additive substances.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth