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.