Agency unveils mobile drug-testing laboratory

Agency unveils mobile drug-testing laboratory

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Iwan Paskah, the manager of Papilon Night Club, entered a large
open veranda at Yogyakarta Palace. He took a form from a desk in
the corner, joined hundreds of people sitting on the floor and
began to fill out the form while waiting for his name to be
called to take a drug test.

"I do not have problem with the drug test. I am ready to be
tested 24 hours a day, but I am really not ready for an alcohol
test," said Iwan with a smile.

Iwan was one of hundreds of people who volunteered to take a
urine test at the Yogyakarta Palace on Wednesday. The tests
marked the launch of a vehicle operated by the Yogyakarta
Narcotics Agency that will serve as a mobile drug testing
laboratory. Among those taking the tests at the palace were
people from bars and clubs, as well as local councillors and
police officers.

The function was attended by Yogyakarta Governor
Hamengkubuwono X and the deputy chief of the Yogyakarta Narcotics
Agency, Brig. Gen. Arifin Rachim.

Iwan acknowledged the entertainment business was often
associated with drugs and alcohol. However, he said most of those
who worked at clubs and bars did not drink or use drugs.

"Me and my employees are not worried about taking part in this
test because we do not use drugs. I hope that participating in
this test will help improve the image of the entertainment
business," said Iwan.

So'im, the secretary of the Yogyakarta Narcotics Agency, said
the agency's new mobile drug lab would help fight drug dealing
and use. The lab will allow officers to test people's urine for
traces of narcotics anywhere and anytime, with the results
immediately available.

"The vehicle will be available for tests at private and
government offices," said So'im.

The mobile lab will be operated by two employees of Grashia
Hospital. So'im said the agency has also signed a cooperation
agreement with the police, which will deploy officers to guard
the vehicle when it is out on the streets.

Company and government offices will be charged Rp 15,000
(US$1.60) for each urine test. The mobile lab will be able to
process 100 urine samples in five minutes, said So'im.

Brig. Gen. Arifin Rachim said the introduction of this mobile
lab was timely given the rising number of drug cases in the
country. According to statistics from the agency, some 1.5
percent of the country's population of 220 million, or 3.4
million people, are involved in drugs whether as users or
dealers.

The agency estimates that of this 3.4 million, about 31
percent are addicts. "That number is growing every day," said
So'im.

Provincial councillor Ida Fatimah said the mobile lab would be
effective for performing unannounced drug tests at government
offices or schools.

He said the lab would serve as a deterrent to stop people from
using drugs. Government employees, students and others may think
twice about using drugs if they know this mobile lab could pull
up in front of their office or school at anytime.