'Drugs are out of control in Kampung Bali'

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Not being able to get a job and having to constantly worry about their youngsters is just one of the many down sides to being a resident of Kampung Bali in Central Jakarta which is notorious for its illegal narcotics activities.

Having to endure break-in attempts while listening to the never ending news of neighbors dying from drug overdoses, sometimes up to three people a week, is obviously more than just bothersome.

Yet for certain people, greed conquers all, and most residents prefer to turn a blind eye towards the shady activities, saying that the dealers are always generous and quick to lend money when asked. They also treat some locals to entertainment at restaurants and pubs.

"They never go around threatening people or being rude. They are very generous with their money to the residents," said Muhammad Abdi, a driver, who was immediately disqualified by a prospective employer as soon as he heard that Abdi was a resident of Kampung Bali.

"I told him that I have no connection with narcotics, but I suppose he just does not want to take any risk," Abdi told The Jakarta Post.

While admitting to be annoyed with the constant drug deals around him, thus far, he has not made any reports to the authorities.

"It (the drug dealing) has been going on for as long as I can remember, I don't think my report would help change this place," he said.

Meanwhile, Yustina, a mother of four teenagers, said that she is worried that her children would become drug victims because of their surroundings.

She acknowledged that the subdistrict office often raids the area for drugs, but it does not appear to be effective.

On Friday, police combed the area for drug dealers and narcotics, but only managed to seize 225 grams of heroin, 35 grams of marijuana and some tools used for inhaling shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

They arrested 17 people, and seven of them were released as police did not find narcotics in their posession.

"I can say that almost half of the Kampung Bali residents are involved in the drug business. They are either dealers or users," Yustina said.

Another resident, Elita Boeboe who inherited the house from his mother three years ago, said that she has noticed the dealers' generosity to the residents even in the small shops in the area.

"The dealers sometimes buy food for others. Small things, but it puts people in their debt," she told the Post.

"So when there are raids, the other residents just stand by and pretend that they do not know who the dealers are," she added.

She plans to move her daughter to her father-in-law's house when she finishes junior high next year to keep her away from the neighborhood.

"It scares me to see the drug business here which appears to grow bigger all the time," she lamented.