Mental institution treating addicts

BOGOR (JP): The Bogor Mental Institution (RSJP) has taken in drug addicts as patients over the past month, an official said on Thursday.

The hospital, in cooperation with the Permata Hati Kita foundation, is now treating 20 drug addicts, for a charge of Rp 100,000 for the full length of treatment.

"The hospital takes only Rp 20,000 of the Rp 100,000 charge, while the rest is submitted to the foundation," Amir Hussein Anwar, the hospital's director, said.

He said they were trying to maximize the use of hospital facilities, which has room for 722 patients. "But, in general we treat 390 to 400 patients per day."

Amir said the government has in the past paid Rp 9 billion per year to cover the hospital's operating costs.

"The city's annual revenue is now only Rp 14 billion. Therefore we must be ready to stand on our own," he said. (24/edt)