Time to take stern measures against drug traffickers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An estimated 3.4 million people, or a quarter of
\nJakarta's total population, are known to be drug abusers. This is
\nthe figure disclosed in a survey conducted by a consortium of
\nnon-governmental organizations, the Program for Management and
\nEradication of Drugs and Narcotics Abuse (P4) in Jakarta,
\nthroughout rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, schools and
\npublic places last year. In 1999 the number of estimated drug
\nabusers stood at only 2 million people.<\/p>\n
The result of this survey is shocking enough, but an increase
\nin the number of drug addicts also means a heavier burden on the
\nlocal government. If one drug addict spends some Rp 100,000 a day
\non drugs, an estimated total of 3.4 million drug abusers will
\nwaste some Rp 340 million every day to satisfy their need for
\ndrugs.<\/p>\n
This astronomical sum is frightening on its own, let alone if
\none takes into account the additional social costs incurred from
\ndrug-related diseases such as AIDS.<\/p>\n
The most alarming issue that the results of this survey bring
\nto our notice is that 85 percent of drug addicts are aged between
\n15 and 35, a fact which indicates a serious threat to the
\nwellbeing of our future generations. What is the right action to
\ntake in combating drug abuse?<\/p>\n
The following are excerpts from an interview with Arief
\nRachman, renowned educator and member of the Team for Handling
\nProblems of Abuse of Narcotics and Addictive Substances in
\nJakarta since 1980.<\/p>\n
Question: Drug trafficking is arousing more serious alarm now.
\nDo you think it can be stopped at all?<\/p>\n
Answer: Drug abuse is one of the most serious challenges
\nconfronting us at present. The difference (from substance abuse
\nin the past) is that today drug abuse is practiced in a more
\nadvanced and sophisticated manner. Before we set out to eradicate
\nit, we must first find out what the real causes are.<\/p>\n
First, we can consider this matter from the drug traffickers'
\nside. Usually, they are people bent on earning money without much
\nwork. If we wish to eradicate drug abuse, the government and the
\ncommunity must take repressive action to ensure that these
\ntraffickers will learn their lesson the hard way, while
\ndiscouraging others from buying narcotics.<\/p>\n
Severe punishments must be meted out and if necessary capital
\npunishment will be needed. These traffickers must be made aware
\nthat what they do will destroy the young generation.<\/p>\n
Second, we can consider this matter from the drug addicts'
\nside. There are four types of drug addicts. The first type are
\npeople afflicted with family problems. The second type are
\nchildren without a proper opportunity to show their identity.
\nThey will use drugs only to show off. Drug addicts of the third
\ntype are children seeking recognition from their group peers.
\nThey will just imitate what their peers do. The last type refers
\nto those using drugs out of ignorance.<\/p>\n
And the next step?<\/p>\n
There are actually five steps to take. The first will be the
\nprovision of information to the broader community, particularly
\nyoung people, about the hazards of drug abuse and the types of
\ndrugs and other addictive substances.<\/p>\n
The second step will be to educate all segments of the
\ncommunity, such as parents, young people, students, and involve
\nthem in educational activities to ensure that they are really
\nconvinced drugs and other addictive substances are forbidden by
\nreligion.<\/p>\n
The third step -- an alternative step -- will be mainly
\nintended for young people who are in search of their own
\nidentity. They must be allowed to take part in, for example,
\narts, sports and environmental activities.<\/p>\n
The fourth step is rehabilitation and will be taken only with
\nrespect to those falling victim to drug addiction.<\/p>\n
And the last step is a repressive act. The law and some
\nnecessary regulations will be needed before this step can be
\ntaken. A repressive act will enable drug pushers to be punished.<\/p>\n
And the responsibility for the last step falls on the
\ngovernment?<\/p>\n
No, I don't think so. A school principal, for example, can
\ntake repressive action. He can dismiss a student involved in drug
\nabuse.<\/p>\n
Do you think drug pushers and drug users should be equally
\npunished?<\/p>\n
In my opinion drug users or people using drugs only as a trend
\nand it is better that they be sent to rehabilitation centers. It
\nis true that rehabilitation efforts will take longer, but
\nadministratively it will have a stronger effect.<\/p>\n
However, if a drug addict is incurable, he must be expelled
\nfrom the center and then given the same treatment as a drug
\npusher.<\/p>\n
What other repressive steps do you know?<\/p>\n
Police raids. The raids must be carried out at drug dealers'
\ndens. Police know where these drug dealers' dens are because they
\nhave conducted raids many times. I'm afraid, however, that drug
\ntrafficking will never be abolished even until the doomsday
\ncomes. The most we can do is minimize it.<\/p>\n
Why can't it be stopped?<\/p>\n
Clearly, (Islam) has from the earliest of time prohibited its
\nfollowers from taking opium and other substances that can cause
\nintoxication ... but until now we still see (drug abuse).<\/p>\n
Has our community control system been effective or not?<\/p>\n
Well, I am not saying it is ineffective, but I think drug
\ntransactions are now conducted more openly. Let me give you an
\nexample. If we talk about a school, then we must pay close
\nattention to the people in the immediate vicinity around the
\nschool. They may be cigarette, gado-gado or bakso (meatball)
\nvendors, or parking attendants (who push drugs to the children).
\nDrug-traffickers sometimes make them their agents, especially now
\nwhile life is getting increasingly harder.<\/p>\n
I believe, therefore, that the school must take action against
\nthe selling of drugs to its students. It must continually monitor
\nits surroundings, test the students' urine and undertake regular
\nsearches in classrooms.<\/p>\n
Why do you think young people constitute the biggest number of
\ndrug victims?<\/p>\n
Well, young people are in a transition from childhood to
\nadulthood. As children, they must obey their parents but as
\nadults they can think independently. As young people they are
\ncaught in the middle. They are looking for their own identity and
\nwill be vulnerable to any influences, including those of drugs.
\nHowever, things will be different if young people have activities
\noutside of school.<\/p>\n
But those activities will not guarantee us drug-free young
\npeople?<\/p>\n
Not quite, but at least these activities may substantially
\nreduce the possibility of being influenced by narcotics. In
\nreality, though, even Maradona, the football superstar, can also
\nsuccumb to narcotics.<\/p>\n
Some young victims of drug addiction come from harmonious and
\nreligious families. How do you view this?<\/p>\n
Young people are in a position where they can maintain a
\ndistance from their parents. Therefore, the biggest influence
\nwill not come from their families, but from their friends. They
\nmay become addicted to drugs if they choose the wrong people to
\nassociate with, regardless of the harmony in their families and
\nthe absence of problems in their lives.<\/p>\n
Does it mean that parents must decide who their children's
\nfriends should be?<\/p>\n
It is all parents' obligation to have knowledge about their
\nchildren's friends. If any of these friends are not well behaved,
\nparents must alert their children to it.<\/p>\n
Who then is responsible when a child becomes a drug abuser?<\/p>\n
It is true that children are influenced by their own families
\nat home and by their school. However, it is the children alone
\nthat must bear the responsibility because parents and teachers
\ncannot be with them round the clock.<\/p>\n
Are you aware of what some people believe is a conspiracy to
\ndestroy this nation by means of drugs and narcotics?<\/p>\n
If we read the history of nations, we'll understand that a
\nnation can be destroyed through morality or by means of drugs.
\nThis suspicion is not unfounded, although research is needed to
\ncome up with proof. (Mohammad Yazid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-take-stern-measures-against-drug-traffickers-1447893297",
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