Hashish in Aceh

Hashish in Aceh

From Suara Karya

The police have arrested many people for smuggling dried hashish from the province of Aceh. Heaps of hash has been confiscated and the smugglers jailed. In spite of this the business remains hectically hardy.

According to the police, hashish smuggling is organized by a gang that wants to make bundles of money.

The Acehnese, particularly those who live in Kotacane, Blang Kedjren and Betong Atueuh, have grown hashish in the area for centuries. But, they used the commodity differently. In the past, the Acehnese used hash as an additive for food or sometimes dried it and mixed it with tobacco in cigarettes. Hash can also cure a toothache. The people would have been laughed at if the had tried to sell it.

Things have changed. Now they grow hashish and make a lot of money from trading it. They don't realize the direct impact it will have on future generations. The authorities have tried to convince farmers to grow other crops for a living, but have failed. They now find more and more hashish growing.

I think the problem should be approached from a different angle. Companies should be invited to invest their excess capital in the province. The farmers will then be able to find other jobs and, hopefully, stop growing the illegal crop.

NABHANI M ALI

Jakarta