Govt to submit psychotropic bill<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): The government will present a long-awaited bill
\non psychotropic substances to the House of Representatives later
\nthis month, Minister of Health Sujudi announced yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"The office of State Secretary will present the draft law to
\nthe House of Representatives for deliberation,\" Sujudi told
\nreporters after opening a mosque at the Mitra Banjaran condom
\nfactory.<\/p>\n
The 1992 Health Law does not cover Ecstasy, a rave scene drug.<\/p>\n
\"We can use the law against users or traffickers of Ecstasy,
\nbut we need a law on psychotropic substances so that its abuse
\ncan be handled thoroughly,\" Sujudi said.<\/p>\n
He explained that the bill would contain details of Ecstasy's
\nraw materials. \"The main target of the bill is to prohibit trade,
\ndistribution or usage of the materials,\" Sujudi said.<\/p>\n
He said the bill would differ from Indonesia's 19-year-old
\nanti-narcotics law in terms of drug classifications.<\/p>\n
Narcotics make people frail and weak, while psychotropic drugs
\nsuch as Ecstasy make people energetic, he said.<\/p>\n
\"But both are dangerous and should be controlled. We don't
\nwant our youths to be ruined by those drugs,\" Sujudi said.<\/p>\n
Sujudi was disappointed by the arrest of 177 youths at an
\nEcstasy party in Cikole, Lembang on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
\"It's a pity. They could have chosen to use their time wisely,
\nto study or conduct religious activities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Police have been hampered in their fight against Ecstasy
\nbecause the 1976 Anti-narcotics Law does not classify the drug as
\na narcotic. The law confines narcotics to marijuana, cocaine and
\nmorphine.<\/p>\n
Police have resorted to using a 1949 Law on Dangerous Drugs,
\nthe 1992 Health Law -- which deals with the distribution of
\nsubstandard drugs -- and Article 204 of the Criminal Code, which
\ndeals with the supply of dangerous drugs.<\/p>\n
Possessing and trafficking Ecstasy are illegal under Health
\nLaw No. 23, which was issued in 1992. People caught breaking this
\nlaw can spend up to 15 years in jail or be fined up to Rp 300
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is popular among Indonesian
\nyouths who attend parties known as \"raves\".<\/p>\n
The drug can reportedly be purchased at some discotheques and
\nnightspots frequented by Jakarta's wealthy teenagers. Before
\nbecoming popular, one Ecstasy capsule cost between Rp 100,000 and
\nRp 200,000. (17\/31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-submit-psychotropic-bill-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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