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