Narcotics laws need review: Psychiatrist

JAKARTA (JP): Dadang Hawari, a noted psychiatrist from the University of Indonesia, says that the existing narcotic laws badly need revising in order to reduce drug abuse in Indonesia.

"It is high time for the government to revise the old laws issued in 1976 to enable it not only to adjust to present developments but also to anticipate future trends," he said.

Dadang made the remarks on Wednesday in a one-day seminar on drug prevention among students. The seminar was organized by the directorate general of basic and secondary education of the ministry of education and culture.

"Actually a new draft of the narcotic laws was already submitted in 1991 to the House of Representatives but there is no reason why we should delay the discussion of the draft any further," he said.

He said that the Association of Indonesian Psychiatrists is willing to participate and discuss the draft with the House members.

Dadang further said that another draft of alcohol laws, which was already submitted in 1985, should be passed as soon as possible, especially after the President Soeharto himself expressed his concern with the increasing number of substance abuse cases in Indonesia.

"The two laws are vital if we are to start establishing a number of drug centers around the country to cure victims of drug abuse," he said.

Dadang also urged the public not to treat drug abusers as criminals but rather as victims. Moreover drug abuse itself should not be seen as a moral problem but as an illness, which can be cured.

Drug use

He said that according to research by Stinnet and John DeFrain in 1987, the family's strength, health and happiness are very important to reduce the risk of drug use.

The statement was also shared by Dr. Atie W. Djojonegoro, wife of Education and Culture Minister Wardiman Djojonegoro, who stressed the importance of warmth and affection within the family.

Atie admits that the jobs of urban parents may decrease the quality time they can give to their children but still she believes that parents should increase their involvement in raising their children.

"Parents must play a bigger role in their children's education and learn more about drug problems in the younger person's world," she said.

Dadang said that based on his drug abuse research in 1990, youngsters who came from divorced families are 7.9 times more likely to become drug abusers than those from married households, while youngsters exhibiting anti-social characteristics are 19.9 times more likely.

According to Dadang, 97 percent of all drug abusers started using narcotics between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

He added that 80 percent of drug abusers have their first drug experience with friends. (mas)