Anti-narcotics campaign

JAKARTA (JP): The Bersama antidrug non-governmental organization is scheduled to launch an anti-narcotics campaign in Jakarta from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20.

Bersama's chairman Putera Astaman reported Monday, after meeting with Governor Sutiyoso, that the campaign is to be called "Safari Remaja Berprestasi" (Safari for Youths of Good Achievement).

The safari will be conducted throughout Greater Jakarta and continue on to several cities in Sumatra, including Medan, Rantau Rapat, Pekanbaru, Padang, Bengkulu, Jambi, Palembang and Bandar Lampung, Astaman said.

All city schools, from primary to senior high schools, will be invited to participate in the campaign, which will be filled with singing and choral competitions, musical performances, writing competitions and poster exhibitions, he said.

Established in 1978, Bersama is the only organization to be appointed by the government to coordinate antidrug campaigns in Indonesia. The organization is a member of the International Federation of NGOs linked to the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization and UNESCO.

President Soeharto is the patron of Bersama and several cabinet ministers are among its advisory board members.

"This campaign is fully supported by both state-owned companies and private firms," Astaman said.

Among the sponsors are PT Indosat, PT Telkom, PT Pos Indonesia, PT Hotel International Indonesia and PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur. (07)