Mega urges families to fight drugs, violence
Mega urges families to fight drugs, violence
Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Lumajang, East Java
President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged Indonesian families on
Sunday to strengthen bonds among family members to reduce the
number of drug users and level of violence in the country.
Speaking before thousands of people attending the 10th
National Family Day celebration in Lumajang, East Java, Megawati
said that drug abuse and violence were rampant among teenagers
and young people aged between 17 and 30.
"Of 15,000 drug-related cases from 2000 through 2002, about 46
percent of them involved young people aged between 17 and 30,"
said Megawati, adding that most of those involved in drug abuse
had dropped out of school.
With loving and harmonious families, such cases could be
reduced.
"A strong nation is built on a strong community, which starts
with a strong family," said Megawati.
Minister of People's Welfare Yusuf Kalla, meanwhile, said at
least 17 percent of the country's 215 million population belonged
to low income bracket.
"Poverty can easily lead people into conflict and we should
avoid this wherever possible," he said.
Jusuf also called for the empowerment of women in families as
they had important roles to play in creating prosperous families.
During the ceremony, President Megawati presented Satya
Lencana Wira Karya awards to 60 officials for their work in
making the family planning program a success in their respective
areas. The Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono
Sutarto and National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar were among
the recipients.
The President was also shown a new flipchart to be used as
part of the National Family Planning Board (BKKBN)'s program as a
decision-making tool to encourage interaction between
contraception providers and their clients so as to support the
family planning program.
About 2,500 low-income families were given grants valued at Rp
250,000 per household for them to improve the floors in their
houses.
Several cabinet ministers attended the ceremony, including
health minister Achmad Sujudi, the Minister of Manpower and
Transmigration Jacob Nuwawea, and State Minister for Women's
Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemaryoto.