Dangerous drugs get the okay

Living in the city of Jakarta amid centers of entertainment, one gets acquainted with the circles of people who venture out at night. Of course you cannot help avoid meeting those that indulge in the illegal pleasures of life, like shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and ecstasy.

There are many young women who indulge in the habit. In addition to this, they all live in boarding houses in and around the areas where there are night spots, which more than likely encourages the frequent use.

In a short course of time I discovered that some doctors have been giving the okay to use these kinds of drugs. In reference to this, three or four different pregnant women from different areas told their doctors of their habit when they went for a prenatal check-up. Each doctor said that shabu-shabu and ecstasy would not harm their babies.

How could anyone really know the possible effect that these drugs have on an unborn fetus or a newborn baby, after birth or in the long term? Let's not forget of course the side effects the user might be subjected to, let alone the chances of overdosing or dying.

It is absolutely disgusting that some doctors have the audacity to tell their patients it won't harm their baby. How can they speak so freely, when their commitment to their profession is to protect and look after the patient? Such doctors should not be allowed to open a consultation practice.

To note, one girl I know has a four-year-old child that constantly cries and always looks angry ... the mother used ecstasy right up until the birth of her child. Another used shabu-shabu from time to time. Her baby was two-months premature and very, very small. Another, had a beautiful boy minus his little finger. What will happen to the next one?

C. PARRY

Jakarta