More juvenile delinquency amid crisis

JAKARTA (JP): Psychologist Subyakto Atmosiswoyo said on Wednesday that juvenile delinquency was on the increase in the city because of the current economic crisis.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony as a professor at the University of Indonesia in Depok, Subyakto said the upward trend could be seen from the increase in deviant behavior, especially student brawls and drug abuse.

"This phenomenon is caused mainly by both parents and students giving less attention to students during the crisis," he said.

Subyakto said that the rising trend could also be seen from the number of students rounded up by security officers for their alleged involvement in delinquent acts.

"The number of students detained by officers, which reached only 375 in 1993, jumped to 1,842 in 1996."

What was frightening was that the delinquency had spread to other smaller towns, such as Tangerang, he said.

The new professor said that the delinquency cases had developed into immoral acts and crimes, including not only vandalizing public facilities, but also killing rival students and extorting money from housewives.

"When we walk along the city's streets, we can frequently witness student fights and stone-throwing battles in the middle of busy thoroughfares," he said.

Several youths involved in brawls had admitted they were affected by a stimulant so they considered students from other schools as enemies.

Subyakto said that teenagers now started consuming narcotics, including psychotropic drugs, at a younger age, between 15 and 25 years old.

He said Fatmawati Hospital's drug rehabilitation unit received seven to 10 patients per day last year. Most were senior high school and college students.

Some of the addicted teenagers stole to supplement their habit since they received insufficient money from their parents because of the economic crisis.

Juvenile delinquency could no longer be separated from the consumption of drugs, which often resulted in brutal actions, damage, brawls and other crimes, he said.

In order to help solve the problems, Subyakto suggested that parents and teachers pay more attention to teenagers. However, he did not blame the parents who thought of their jobs in the crisis.

"What will happen to this nation if the teenagers, who are often called the nation's heirs, are involved in so many kinds of crimes?," he asked.

He said those teenagers should be taught more about religion, hospitality and politeness.

"It's important to encourage them to say 'No' to drugs. We all have a moral obligation on this."

He said experts on psychology, anthropology and sociology should be involved to help solve the problem. (jun)