Anti-narcotics law needs review: Singgih<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's anti-narcotics law needs to be
\namended to enable law enforcers to prosecute people they suspect
\nof trafficking or using the drug \"Ecstasy\", Attorney General
\nSinggih said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Currently, people found consuming or selling Ecstasy cannot be
\nbrought to justice under Indonesia's 19-year-old anti-narcotics
\nlaw because the chemical substances in Ecstasy do not appear in
\nthe legislation as narcotic elements, Singgih said.<\/p>\n
Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is popular among young Indonesian
\nadults and teenagers attending \"raves\" -- huge, extended dance
\nparties.<\/p>\n
Known as a \"designer drug\", Ecstasy is a kind of amphetamine
\n(definition: a racemic compound, C9H13N). The drug is used for
\nthe clinical treatment of hyperactive children and the symptoms
\nof narcolepsy. It is also used as a short-term appetite
\nsuppressant in dieting.<\/p>\n
The absence of laws on Ecstasy has forced police to release a
\nnumber of suspected consumers and traffickers of Ecstasy
\nrecently.<\/p>\n
\"How can we detain someone more than one day if we fail to
\nfind a certain offense as covered by the law?\" City Police
\nspokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna asked yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Police cannot put Ecstasy users in jail just because the drug
\nis too dangerous to them,\" Iman told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
However, according to Singgih, police can arrest suspects for
\nallegedly endangering society and promoting social unrest.<\/p>\n
Separately yesterday, a noted lawyer also suggested that laws
\nbe enacted immediately to enable the Ecstasy business to be dealt
\nwith.<\/p>\n
\"The Minister of Health must soon determine whether Ecstasy is
\nto be listed as a narcotic or as a dangerous drug,\" lawyer Luhut
\nPangaribuan of Jakarta's Legal Aid Foundation told The Post.<\/p>\n
Luhut suggested that the government put Ecstasy on the
\nnarcotics list if police regard it as dangerous.<\/p>\n
Under the new rules he had in mind, police would have a strong
\nlegal basis for arresting Ecstasy consumers and traffickers,
\nseize the drug and bringing suspects to court, Luhut said.<\/p>\n
\"If we have no laws on that, don't arrest anyone,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The presence of Ecstasy in Indonesia, mostly in the form of
\ncolorful pills, received publicity for the first time in
\nconnection with the mysterious death of a young businessman at
\nthe house of famous actress Ria Irawan in January last year.<\/p>\n
The drug can be purchased easily at certain discotheques and
\nother places in the city for between Rp 100,000 (US$44) and Rp
\n200,000 per pill.<\/p>\n
Apart from Jakarta, Bali and Surabaya reportedly have a
\nthriving Ecstasy trade. (bsr\/05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/anti-narcotics-law-needs-review-singgih-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}