JP\/3\/B02<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
An HIV\/AIDS activist was nearly arrested by the police two
\nyears ago, when he provided sterile, disposable needles to an
\ninjecting drug user (IDU).<\/p>\n
The officer thought the activist was supporting the user's
\nhabit. Luckily, the activist's colleague, who happened to be a
\nwell-known doctor, managed to convince the policeman that the
\nneedle distribution was part of their harm reduction program.<\/p>\n
Most Indonesians may be unfamiliar with -- or have not heard
\nof -- this program. Policy makers and law enforcers are no
\nexception.<\/p>\n
The harm reduction program is a scheme that aims to prevent
\nthe spread of HIV\/AIDS through shared needles. The program has 12
\nimplementation measures, including informing IDUs with sufficient
\nknowledge on the possible transmission of HIV\/AIDS through shared
\nneedles and encouraging them to enter a rehabilitation center.<\/p>\n
The most controversial aspect of the program is that it
\nprovides IDUs with the alternatives of either methadone treatment
\nor sterile, disposable needles.<\/p>\n
Methadone hydrochloride is a substitute drug that can be taken
\norally instead of by injecting, used as a treatment to wean IDUs
\noff drugs.<\/p>\n
Most law enforcers, however, consider it an attempt to protect
\ndrug users and drug dealing, which explains the incident above.<\/p>\n
The establishment of the National Network of Harm Reduction
\nOrganizations (Jangkar) several years ago has played an important
\nrole in addressing this issue and in supporting activists to
\npromote harm reduction in the country.<\/p>\n
Jangkar secretary-general Sahrul Sjah said the network was set
\nup to reduce the spread of HIV\/AIDS among IDUs in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
According to the network, about 60 percent of all HIV\/AIDS
\ncases contracted the virus through needle-sharing.<\/p>\n
Currently, the network comprises 38 non-governmental
\norganizations focusing on drug use and HIV\/AIDS at the
\ngrassroots.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Jangkar members include the University of Atmajaya
\nInformation Kiosk, the University of Indonesia's Health Service
\nCenter, Karisma Foundation and Stigma.<\/p>\n
Outside Jakarta, the Bahtera Foundation in Bandung, Talenta
\nFoundation in Surabaya, Hatihati Foundation in Bali, Metamorfosa
\nand YKP2N in Makassar and Galatea in Medan are also members.<\/p>\n
R. Suhendro Sugiharto, a Jangkar National Council member, told
\nThe Jakarta Post that one of its missions was to provide legal
\nprotection for outreach workers implementing the harm reduction
\nprogram. In addition, the network enabled HIV\/AIDS activists to
\nshare information, support each other and engage in heart-to-
\nheart discussions.<\/p>\n
"Promoting harm reduction is not an easy task. We need to
\nshare information to support each other," said Sugiharto, known
\nas Ebe among friends and colleagues.<\/p>\n
Jangkar also produces publications and holds national meetings
\nannually to address the multifaceted issues regarding IDUs and
\nHIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
"And we provide support for members that plan to establish a
\ncooperation with law enforcers to introduce a harm reduction
\nprogram in their area," Ebe said.<\/p>\n
Over the past few years, the rapid increase in the number of
\nIDUs and the spread of the virus due to needle-sharing has
\nreached alarming levels. As a result, the National Narcotics
\nAgency (BNN) and the Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of
\nunderstanding (MOU) in December 2003 to develop a program to
\nfight HIV\/AIDS transmission among IDUs.<\/p>\n
Under the MOU, IDUs who join a harm reduction program will be
\nexempt from anti-drug law enforcement measures.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, a three-year pilot project involving local health
\noffices, police, research centers and NGOs was implemented late
\nlast year in Jakarta and Bali.<\/p>\n
While institutional and social stigmas remain about harm
\nreduction, the pilot projects are a benchmark in the national
\ndrive to combat drug use and HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
As regards the common misconception among law enforcers that
\nthe program is a means to protect drug dealing or condone drug
\nuse, Ebe explained that harm reduction was a means to prevent the
\npossible spread of HIV\/AIDS among drugs users.<\/p>\n
"There is also the supply reduction program and demand
\nreduction program, both of which are linked to law enforcement.
\nBut the two would only achieve effective results if they are
\ncombined with the harm reduction program," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp3b02-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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