Golf tourney to help drug addicts

JAKARTA (JP): The 2001 Vice President Cup Indonesia Open Golf tournament, organized by Lembaga Citra Mandiri Indonesia, is not only a competition but also a fund-raiser to help drugs users.

"The tournament is aimed at helping the government deal with drug addicts as it only has a limited budget. Such an event has been proven to be effective in raising funds," the organizing committee chairman, A. Mone, was quoted as saying by Antara news agency on Wednesday.

"Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri is slated to tee-off," he added after a meeting with Megawati at the Vice Presidential Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.

Official statistics show that there are some 130,000 drug addicts in Indonesia. A large amount of funds is needed for drug rehabilitation and prevention.

The tournament will be held at the Pangkalan Jati Golf Course in South Jakarta on Feb. 25. In addition to Indonesian golfers, several golfers from neighboring countries will also take part in the tournament. (nvn)