Antidrug campaign on in East Java

Antidrug campaign on in East Java

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Imam Utomo has embarked on an
anti-HIV/AIDS and drug campaign, declaring the month of June as
"The Month of No-HIV or Drugs".

Data issued by the East Java Health Office showed that people
with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the province had
increased five-fold in the past three years, with an average of
14 new cases emerging every month.

It also said that as of May 23 this year, there were 247
people with HIV, and 177 people suffered from the Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Meanwhile, data from East Java Police showed that 584 people
were arrested on drug charges in 2001, mostly aged between 17 and
25 years old.

Imam said that he was concerned with this new trend and hoped
the government, assisted by non-governmental organizations and
the public at large, could overcome the problems. --JP