Narcotics laws need review: Psychiatrist<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dadang Hawari, a noted psychiatrist from the
\nUniversity of Indonesia, says that the existing narcotic laws
\nbadly need revising in order to reduce drug abuse in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"It is high time for the government to revise the old laws
\nissued in 1976 to enable it not only to adjust to present
\ndevelopments but also to anticipate future trends," he said.<\/p>\n
Dadang made the remarks on Wednesday in a one-day seminar on
\ndrug prevention among students. The seminar was organized by the
\ndirectorate general of basic and secondary education of the
\nministry of education and culture.<\/p>\n
"Actually a new draft of the narcotic laws was already
\nsubmitted in 1991 to the House of Representatives but there is no
\nreason why we should delay the discussion of the draft any
\nfurther," he said.<\/p>\n
He said that the Association of Indonesian Psychiatrists is
\nwilling to participate and discuss the draft with the House
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Dadang further said that another draft of alcohol laws, which
\nwas already submitted in 1985, should be passed as soon as
\npossible, especially after the President Soeharto himself
\nexpressed his concern with the increasing number of substance
\nabuse cases in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"The two laws are vital if we are to start establishing a
\nnumber of drug centers around the country to cure victims of drug
\nabuse," he said.<\/p>\n
Dadang also urged the public not to treat drug abusers as
\ncriminals but rather as victims. Moreover drug abuse itself
\nshould not be seen as a moral problem but as an illness, which
\ncan be cured.<\/p>\n
Drug use<\/p>\n
He said that according to research by Stinnet and John DeFrain
\nin 1987, the family's strength, health and happiness are very
\nimportant to reduce the risk of drug use.<\/p>\n
The statement was also shared by Dr. Atie W. Djojonegoro, wife
\nof Education and Culture Minister Wardiman Djojonegoro, who
\nstressed the importance of warmth and affection within the
\nfamily.<\/p>\n
Atie admits that the jobs of urban parents may decrease the
\nquality time they can give to their children but still she
\nbelieves that parents should increase their involvement in
\nraising their children.<\/p>\n
"Parents must play a bigger role in their children's education
\nand learn more about drug problems in the younger person's
\nworld," she said.<\/p>\n
Dadang said that based on his drug abuse research in 1990,
\nyoungsters who came from divorced families are 7.9 times more
\nlikely to become drug abusers than those from married households,
\nwhile youngsters exhibiting anti-social characteristics are 19.9
\ntimes more likely.<\/p>\n
According to Dadang, 97 percent of all drug abusers started
\nusing narcotics between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.<\/p>\n
He added that 80 percent of drug abusers have their first drug
\nexperience with friends. (mas)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/narcotics-laws-need-review-psychiatrist-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}