Drug abuse starts from the home: Experts<\/p>\n
Social problems often reflect the sanity of a society, says
\nhumanistic philosopher and psychologist Erich Fromm.<\/p>\n
The more acute the social problems, the more the whole society
\nis in dire need of cures.<\/p>\n
Psycho-social expert at the University of Indonesia (UI) Ratna
\nJuwita attributes widespread drug abuse and drug trafficking to
\nsocial failures.<\/p>\n
\"We are witnessing a serious crisis in our community. The
\nrampant drug abuse here is only one of many facets of the
\ncrisis,\" she told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
She said a community that was not peaceful was like a hotbed
\nfor drug abuse.<\/p>\n
The prolonged economic crisis in the country, she said, was a
\ngood example of a situation that forced people to work hard at
\nall costs.<\/p>\n
\"We already know that most parents spend most of their time
\nand energy in the workplace, leaving their children without
\nparental guidance,<\/p>\n
\"They (the young people) witness government figures, for
\ninstance, using their power to suffocate the weak. Such a
\nsituation undermines the entire education system,<\/p>\n
\"In most cases, their feelings of frustration are not voiced.
\nThey go to school and study without clearly knowing what for.<\/p>\n
\"It is no surprise, then, that they resort to drugs to escape
\nthe pain of frustration,\" Ratna said.<\/p>\n
Maria, a research manager with the Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa
\n(Love the Nation's Children Foundation, YCAB), said a survey
\nconducted in 2005 by the foundation showed that the values and
\nattitudes of young people were rapidly changing.<\/p>\n
\"In addition to their lax attitude toward drug abuse, they are
\nmore accepting of pornography, homosexuality and violence,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The survey shows one in two teenagers thinks that pornography
\nis acceptable; one in three has \"no problem\" with homosexuality
\nand one in five finds drug abuse and violence \"tolerable\".<\/p>\n
Another survey conducted by UI and YCAB sought answers as to
\nwhy young people were trying drugs in the first place. Of at
\nleast 418 drug addicts being treated at 13 rehabilitation centers
\nin Greater Jakarta, 70 percent said they had taken drugs for the
\nfirst time \"out of curiosity\".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Dede Shinta Sudono, a national program officer with
\nthe International Labor Organization (ILO) underlined the fate of
\nstreet children who were drug addicts.<\/p>\n
Citing a survey conducted by ILO in three municipalities in
\nthe capital in 2003, she said that 90 of 92 street children
\naddicted to drugs had become drug dealers, some as young as the
\nage of 13.<\/p>\n
\"As they have no chance to study in school, they end up on the
\nstreets, spending much of their time with older people, which
\nexposes them to illegal activities, including drug abuse and drug
\ndealing,\" she said. --JP<\/p>",
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