More subdistricts armed to combat illicit drug trade in Jakarta

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As part of its war against drug trafficking in the capital, the Jakarta administration revealed on Tuesday that it would flex its muscles to make more subdistrict offices take active roles in antidrug programs in their respective communities.

"Next year, hopefully, we will select 50 of 267 subdistricts in the capital to receive funds to finance antidrug drives," Jakarta Narcotics Coordinating Agency (BNP Jakarta) chairman Fauzi Bowo told The Jakarta Post.

Currently, only 10 subdistricts receive funding to fight the illegal drug trade in their respective areas.

The city administration has allocated Rp 27.4 billion (US$2.9 million) for BNP Jakarta next year, up from around Rp 7 billion in 2005.

Part of the funds allocated for BNP Jakarta are spent on antidrug campaigns at the subdistrict level.

Fauzi, who is also Jakarta deputy governor, said there would be fewer antidrug programs at the provincial level since the funds would be distributed to subdistricts instead.

"We have learned from past experience that many antidrug programs at the provincial level miss the targets and turn out to be a circus rather than put a stop to the problem of drug trafficking," he said.

He emphasized that community-based drives were preferable since future programs would better contain trafficking.

"Local leaders and officials should know more about dealing with drug trafficking involving their community members than high-ranking officials here," he asserted.

The war against the illegal drug trade picked up momentum following a BNP Jakarta report released on Monday revealed that the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Jakarta rose 34 percent to 3,373 people this year from 2,505 cases last year.

At least 60 percent of those living with HIV/AIDS are active injecting drug users (IDUs).

Activists estimate that there are between 10,000 and 15,000 IDUs in the capital, who a face higher risk of contracting HIV/AIDS by sharing needles. More than 50 percent of them are in the productive ages of between 20 and 29 years old.

Central Jakarta Mayor Muhayat welcomed on Wednesday the plan to decentralize antidrug campaigns, saying that the move would significantly hamper drug trafficking as in the case of Kampung Bali subdistrict in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

"In the past, the subdistrict was notorious as a safe haven for drug pushers and dealers to sell drugs. But now the area is relatively free from drug-related problems thanks to the presence of many parties who help rid the subdistrict of drug woes," Muhayat told The Post.

Roxy, Menteng and Kemayoran are among areas where drug transactions are known to be common in Central Jakarta.

BNP Jakarta has also listed Tangki, Kampung Ambon in Cengkareng, West Jakarta; Warakas in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta; Pasar Minggu and Tanah Kusir in South Jakarta and Cawang in East Jakarta as popular areas for drug traders to do business.