Narcotics laws need review: Psychiatrist
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)