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