Jobs may curb drug abuse and AIDS

Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Once a drug user, Sarifuddin, 26, a resident of Kampung Bali, Central Jakarta, has found that working at a modest motorcycle wash depot in the area has increased his self-esteem.

"I quit drugs. I have more useful things to do and a stable income, some Rp 20,000 (US$2.23) a day. I feel useful, not only to my family, but also to my neighborhood," he told The Jakarta Post.

Sarifuddin had previously spent most days hanging out with his friends, playing the guitar. Kampung Bali has the highest number of drug-abuse cases and HIV/AIDS in Jakarta. According to the Pelita Ilmu Foundation's (YPI) center for drug users, there is at least one drug user in every family in the area, and 40 people have died of AIDS-related diseases this year alone.

Sarifuddin is among 20 drug users who participated in a training program organized last year by YPI. The center hoped the training would empower them to adopt healthier lifestyles and generate income.

While center manager Punky Djoko acknowledged that the training and jobs could assist the drug users -- who are mostly young people, with a history of involvement in crimes such as drug-dealing, burglary and theft to buy drugs.

"The activities boost their self-confidence while providing them with positive daily activities, particularly young people who are still clean, as well as first-time drug users, for whom it is easier to quit," he said on the sidelines of a meeting between Kampung Bali residents and State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta on Wednesday.

Punky said that the center was now involved in monitoring and rehabilitating around 1,600 drugs users in the area. According to the center's latest survey of 223 drug users, 200 of them are HIV positive.

Many of the around 120 residents who attended the discussion expressed concern over the high level of unemployment of young people and parents in the area. They said many families were too poor to send their children to school.

Meutia agreed that poverty was one of the key factors as to why many residents had not been stronger in fighting drug abuse.

"We will launch programs to give residents, especially housewives, the skills to raise their income levels," said Meutia, whose office contributed Rp 7 million to the center.

Samsjuridjal Djauzi of Dharmais Hospital -- who is also the center's advisor -- said the state minister's office would work with the YPI, Dharmais Hospital, the University of Indonesia, and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) to train more people.

"We will begin to train around 20 to 30 people next month. They will become trainers, who will be sent to train others around Jakarta, not only in Kampung Bali," he said.