The Ecstasy menace<\/p>\n
Real concern appears to be growing among both the public and
\ngovernment officials over the growing abuse of the drug known as
\nEcstasy. After repeated warnings from local officials in Jakarta
\nand other big cities where abuse of the drug is rampant,
\nPresident Soeharto himself is apparently losing patience and has
\nreportedly ordered the closure of any entertainment
\nestablishments found to be in any way involved in the circulation
\nof Ecstasy.<\/p>\n
All this is obviously heartening, considering the grave and
\ndamaging effects which the drug can have on users. Officially
\ncalled methylendioxymethamphetamine but popularly known as
\nEcstasy, the drug is a powerful stimulant which, among moderate
\nusers, is said to induce a feeling of euphoria and increased
\nenergy, but which experts say also has the potential of
\nstimulating violent behavior. At higher levels of abuse
\nuncontrollably violent behavior, brain damage and even death may
\noccur. As some people may recall, a celebrated case of death due
\nto Ecstasy abuse occurred a few years ago involving several
\nprominent personalities from the film and entertainment world.<\/p>\n
Thus the wide concern about Ecstasy abuse is entirely
\nunderstandable. From the business point of view, however, the
\nEcstasy trade is an enticing source of huge profits. Most of the
\npills that reach this country originate in Europe, particularly
\nthe Netherlands. Since March, customs and excise officials have
\nconfiscated more than 90,000 Ecstasy pills smuggled in from
\nabroad in Jakarta alone. Earlier this month two Singaporeans and
\nan Irishman were arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
\nfor trying to smuggle in 20,000 Ecstasy pills.<\/p>\n
According to knowledgeable sources in Jakarta, however, most
\nof the Ecstasy pills circulating in this country are diluted from
\nimported pills in clandestine \"cottage industries\", one of which
\nis reportedly located in the Puncak mountain resort area. The
\nimported pills are broken into three and mixed with other
\nsubstances to produce three \"home-made\" pills. According to one
\nsource, the illicit producers can make a profit of Rp 60,000 from
\nselling three pills produced from a single imported one. The
\naverage price is around Rp 120,000 per pure pill.<\/p>\n
Through this dilution the price of the drug has apparently
\nbeen drastically lowered, which brings the pill within reach of a
\nmuch wider circle of potential users. In smaller towns the pills
\ncan reportedly be bought for as little as Rp 20,000 each.
\nObviously this practice not only widens the scope of the abuse,
\nit also increases the danger of damaging effects on the user due
\nto possible carelessness in the blending process.<\/p>\n
Obviously, steps must be taken to stem or at least curb the
\nextent of Ecstasy abuse. The pertinent question is how. Of late,
\nofficials in Jakarta and elsewhere have been busy conducting
\nraids on night spots and other entertainment establishments to
\nround up traffickers of the drug. However, these night spots --
\nof which Jakarta alone has more than 3,000 -- are major sources
\nof revenue for the city administrations and drastic measures
\ncould harm not only the city treasuries but also the tourist
\ntrade. Besides, night spots are not the only outlets for the
\nillicit trade.<\/p>\n
We believe that while the present measures may, to a certain
\ndegree, be effective in limiting the Ecstasy trade, a more
\ncomprehensive approach, supported by serious research, is
\nwarranted.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-ecstasy-menace-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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