City establishes drug task forces

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The city administration has established task forces in 10 districts in the capital to fight drugs.

Jakarta Provincial Narcotics Body chairman Fauzi Bowo said on Friday the head of the districts in question would serve as the chairs of the task forces, while police subprecinct chiefs would act as their deputies.

"The task forces established earlier this month are aimed at getting more elements of society involved in fighting drugs," said Fauzi, who is also the city's deputy governor.

Members of the task forces include officials at both the district and subdistrict levels, as well as public figures and representatives of youth organizations.

The 10 districts are also taking part in a pilot project on public services. In that project, each district is given Rp 1 billion (US$102,040) to improve public services.

Among the districts taking part in the two programs are Tanah Abang and Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, and Kalideres and Cengkareng in West Jakarta, where drugs have become a major concern.

Fauzi said if more of society got involved in fighting drugs, there would be a better chance of defeating the scourge.

"Local people know more about their neighborhoods. That is why we are involving them in the task forces," said Fauzi, adding that the narcotics body had been asked to report any drug activity by sending a cellular phone text message to 2206.

The administration has set aside Rp 7.5 billion to fund anti- drug programs this year.

According to official data, there are at least 10,000 injecting drug users in Jakarta, who face a higher risk of contracting HIV by sharing needles.

Official figures show there are 2,505 people living with HIV/AIDS in the capital, or 45 percent of the 5,540 cases nationwide. These are only official figures. It is believed the actual number of people living with HIV/AIDS is much higher.