Fewer takers for some drug rehab programs

Fewer takers for some drug rehab programs

Father Johanness "Hanny" Osbourne Repi from Rumah Anak Panah drug
rehabilitation center said there were fewer patients signing up
for his drug treatment program.

"Most of them now prefer to do counseling instead of taking
the whole program , which takes 14 months. It not only happens
here but also at other centers," he said recently.

But drug addicts are not decreasing in number, shown by this
year's survey by Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB) in cooperation
with the National Narcotics Board and the University of
Indonesia's Institute of Applied Psychology.

The survey said that one in 10 families in Jakarta, a city
with a populated estimated at 12 million, has a member involved
in drug abuse, and that 97 percent of Jakartans surveyed know the
danger of drugs yet 80 percent are still using.

Many of the families with drug users have monthly income below
Rp 1 million. Financial constraints may also be a reason fewer
people are signing up for the rehab.

"It seems that many parents don't care anymore. They're tired
of being constantly disturbed by the drug problem, which costs
them money, time and energy," said Hanny.

Many of the centers are forced to actively look for clients,
he said.

"Budi", a patient at Nurul Alam mosque in Pedongkelan, North
Jakarta, argued that many rehab centers only thought about the
profits to be made.

"I've been in dozens of rehab centers, the famous ones -- you
name it, I've been there," he said, mentioning some of the most
prominent drug treatment centers in the country.

He recounted the terrible bullying at one Islamic drug rehab
school.

"It's better here at Nurul Alam. It's free of charge, except
for food which is up to us how much we give. It's better free but
with benefits," Budi said.

Religious teacher Ridwan from Nurul Alam said that he does not
care if people term his method ineffective.

Within the past three years, there have been around 100 drug
addict and mentally ill people who have been treated at the
mosque.

"There have been a few failures, sure. Most of them want to
shorten the program. We can't force them. So far, I'm not looking
for popularity. We don't set a high target. Look at this place,
it's not even decent. We're just here to help," he said.

-- Hera Diani