'Drug abuse needs serious attention'

Drug use and addiction is an increasing problem in Jakarta. And while the impact of drugs on society is extremely serious, efforts to fight the distribution, sale and use of narcotics in the capital have never seemed to match this seriousness. Over the course of this week, The Jakarta Post will give members of the general public the opportunity to speak out about the drug problem and what should be done to deal with it.

A.S. Utami, 28, an employee at a company on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. She has lived in Ragunan, South Jakarta, for 10 years.

"My cousin, who is still in his early 20s, is a drug addict. He started to use drugs when he was in his first year of high school here. He got the drugs at his school.

I wonder how drug dealers can operate so freely. I wonder why law enforcers cannot arrest them. How can they just sell drugs at schools here?

Drug dealers must get a lot of customers there (at schools), because teenagers are so easily influenced by their peers. I think teachers, the city's education agency and parents have to cooperate in combating the drug problem among students. Prevention is the best cure."

Uly Febriana S., 31, an employee at a private company in Pamulang, Tangerang. Born in Medan, North Sumatra, she resides in Pamulang.

"I have known a number of drug addicts. Some of them eventually died. The others face a very gloomy future. Only a few of them have managed to return to their normal lives.

Drugs are a very serious problem now. The government should do more about this problem. It should improve our judicial system. Hand down very severe punishments for all criminals convicted on drug-related charges. Execute them if necessary. Unlike Malaysia and Singapore, we have never executed drug criminals, although the district court in Tangerang has sentenced several drug dealers to death.

I saw a report on TV several days ago about (Governor) Sutiyoso arresting drug dealers. Is he serious about this operation? Let's hope so, because I have for a long time wanted to see the government make some serious efforts to combat the problem."

Asa Achriwati, 28, an employee at a state-owned company on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. She was born in Jakarta and now resides in Serpong, Tangerang, Banten.

"People can get drugs just about anywhere in the city. The drug trade has moved beyond the conventional places. Drugs are not only sold in discotheques and cafes, but in schools as well. No wonder the number of drug users increases each year.

Sometimes the police and the city administration raid areas where drugs are sold, but it is not enough to tackle the problem.

I have friends who use drugs, although they aren't addicted. I used to tell them that drugs could endanger their health, but it is up to them whether they use drugs or not.

It's not easy to eradicate drugs completely, and you can find drugs in other countries as well. But it does not mean it's impossible.

The most important thing is for people not give in to temptation. Remember, it is the desire to try drugs that can lead to addiction.

Ronny Leonardi, 27, an employee at a company on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. Born in the city, he now lives in Cempaka Putih, East Jakarta.

"Drugs are not new here. Several friends of mine use them. Once you become addicted, it's very difficult to return to normal life. It's so miserable to see them suffering.

I believe prevention is the best way to reduce the number of users, which grows significantly each year. But law enforcers must be firm in handling drug dealers.

Giving stiff sentences to the dealers and putting them in jail would, to a certain extent, deter other drugs dealers.

The city administration, too, has the power to fight drug dealing. For example, it could suspend the license of a cafe if drug transactions were taking place inside it."