Bali grapples with the rising consumption of Ecstasy

Bali grapples with the rising consumption of Ecstasy

By Putu Wirata

KUTA, Bali (JP): Bali, once regarded as a tranquil paradise,
is now a haven for drug traffickers and prostitutes. Lately it
has been drawing thieves, robbers and murderers.

AIDS (Acquired Immune-deficiency Syndrome), the fatal disease
for which there is no cure, proves no barrier to the island's
commercial sex industry despite a rise in the number of HIV
carriers on the island over the past few years. Take Amran and
Macan, for instance, who earn their livings as gigolos or male
prostitutes.

Both said they never used condoms. "Maybe AIDS is just a
myth," they said.

Dr. Tuti Parwati of the AIDS Instruction and Research Center
at the local Sanglah General Hospital, reported earlier this year
that of the hundreds of HIV high risk people tested, excluding
gigolos, none were found HIV positive.

Prof. Dr. Ngurah Bagus, an anthropologist and professor of the
Literary Faculty of Udayana University, and chairman of the Hindu
Intellectual Forum of Bali, deplores the sex industry. He thinks
it has a negative effect on tourism which has grown to encompass
the negative aspects of humanity, despite shackles.

"The Balinese people and administration should realize that
the island's social cultural life is put in grave danger when
ethical values and morals are crumbling," he said.

Bagus said the cultural pollution threat should be put in
check before the social changes become irrevocably worse.

Bagus could be right. Edi Kusyanto, 45, a restaurant owner
accused of masterminding a drug business was caught in March 1995
and sentenced to three years jail. But police are still in the
dark about Bali's Ecstasy distribution networks.

There were indications the drug business was under security
sector authorities' protection, making life for Kuta drug pushers
a cushy affair.

A young lawyer specializing in narcotic cases said he had a
client who accepted drugs from a person living in a military
compound in Kuta. However, the judge trying his client never
called this person as a witness.

In March, police sergeant major Pascal Jr. nearly got killed
when three security guards from the Discotheque Rasa Sayang beat
him while he was on duty. Pascal was hospitalized, while the
three guards were arrested.

Bli Governor Ida Bagus Oka was surprised to learn that some
Kuta discotheques, including Rasa Sayang, operated until morning.
A week after the incident, he restricted discotheque operating
hours.

Observations made by The Jakarta Post revealed Ecstasy addicts
frequented discotheques. Ecstasy users said taking Ecstasy was
far more enjoyable with music or during very long dance sessions
to the beat of pulsating sounds. It was no surprise some
discotheques extended their operating hours into the early
morning to gratify their customers' cravings.

Rasa Sayang and Double Six discotheques are two which openly
extended their operating hours well beyond the standard 2 a.m.
closing time.

"We can't close at 2 a.m. when customers are still having a
good time," said a Double Six employee. Scandal, another
discotheque, operates until noon.

"We open at 3 in the morning," said a Scandal employee.

One source said dancing all night was impossible without
Ecstasy. In Kuta, Ecstasy is sold like cigarettes. When The Post
was on the beach near Double Six, a small boy tried to sell
Ecstasy pills and a sex drive to a group of Asian tourists
getting out of cabs.

"Make strong, make strong," he enticed in poor English.

Bali is both heaven and hell to Ecstasy sellers. The Sanglah
General Hospital in Denpasar is witness to the hell.

"In one week, we take in seven to 10 ecstasy victims," a
hospital doctor said. On New Year's Day or on any public holiday,
the number of victims could reach more than 10. "They are usually
teenagers from Jakarta or Bandung who have been on a long trip."

Ecstasy has also killed people. Although no official
statistics have been released, nor the victims' identities, it is
known that a young painter who lived in Kuta a long time died
from Ecstasy.

A father of three, Jendra (not his real name) was born in
Bandung. He spent time in the Kerobokan penitentiary on narcotics
charges. Several months ago he died after swallowing two Ecstasy
tablets.

Dr. Robert Reverger, general manager of the Mental Hospital in
Bangli, puts Ecstasy in the anti-adrenergic drug category. Other
drugs in the same range include amphetamine and metamphetamine.

"The effects of such drugs are a racing heartbeat, raised
blood pressure and dilated veins that could result in brain
hemorrhage, leading to stroke, or death. The drugs function as a
stimulant to the cardiovascular system," he said.

The drugs themselves are actually not dangerous when they are
consumed under a physician's supervision Dr Reverger said.
Ephedrin, found in Ecstasy, and in other anti-adrenergic like
amphetamine, is used to treat psychiatric disorders, like sudden
mood changes, neurological ups-and-downs, or to calm hyperactive
children.

He said the right dose might produce good psychical changes,
such as awareness, vigilance, stamina, a good mood, self
assurance, concentration and euphoria.

"But, repeated and excessive use of the drugs brings about the
opposite," he said. Uncontrolled use endangers the entire nervous
system.

"Repeated use of Ecstasy leads to addiction too. Biochemical
imbalance will be the result when the drug is abruptly stopped.
The victim will suffer severe headaches and pulsations, feelings
of fear, confusion, lowered consciousness and fatigue," he said.

He also said there was a chance of liver and kidney damage.

Momentary pleasure and brief enjoyment often end with death.
These are the negative effects of the drugs when taken on a non-
medical basis.

"Victims looking for help are usually multi substance users.
They are full addicts. Maybe they tried it for fun at first, or,
they tried it to heal a painful condition," he said.