Neglect over cheapest drug abuse deplored
JAKARTA (JP): Public attention has focused more on the abuse of expensive drugs and neglected the use of cheaper narcotics, according to a police detective and drug abuse specialist.
Second Lt. Surya Malindra from the City Police headquarters said Nipam, a barbiturate sold for only Rp 1,500 (US 63 cents) for 10 pills on the streets, is more lethal than expensive drugs because abusers tend to consume the pills in large quantities.
The media has spotlighted more expensive and "prestigious" drugs like Ecstasy and heroin in reporting drug-related cases.
But Surya said Nipam, BK, Rohipnol and Mogadon are more popular drugs used by teenagers usually arrested for brawls.
"What we have forgotten is that these drugs are actually very common and easy to get on the street because of their cheap prices," Surya told The Jakarta Post.
Many junior and senior high school students have easy access to the drugs because of their cheap price.
A former user, Rino, 30, said the drugs are commonly sold for Rp 1,500 in areas like Senen and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, Jl. Gajah Mada in West Jakarta, and Blok A market in South Jakarta.
Rino said the drugs were largely sold at roadside pharmaceuticals and were difficult to buy if you did not look like a user.
"Most of the vendors, such as those at Blok A market, were being backed up by delinquent officers. That's why it's not easy to eradicate drugs from the street," said Rino who used the drugs in junior high school.
Rio, 14, a student at a private junior high school on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta, said most of his friends were aware of the drugs in primary school.
"Many students know about the drugs, but only those who hang around with the wrong people touch the stuff. You see, it's not your broken home family which leads you to 'the dark world', but your friends," he said.
Criminologist Purnianti said it is true teenagers will do what you tell them not to.
Research conducted on 500 high school students in 1992 by Purnianti showed that 40 percent of those interviewed in Jakarta admitted they had tried both drugs and alcohol.
"Many teenagers have started to consider drugs, alcohol and sex part of their lifestyle," Purnianti said.
Many drug users do not fully comprehend the dangerous effects associated with their habit, said drugs specialist Tony Setiabudhi.
"When someone is stoned using Nipam, for example, he would experience a hallucination or even worse become violent, especially if he is addicted to it," said Setiabudhi, who also handles patients with mental disorders.
About 75 percent of his patients at the Navy Hospital in Central Jakarta are drug addicts.
"The worst effect from drugs like Nipam is that it can slowly kill your brain's functions," Setiabudhi said.
According to Rino, Rohipnol has the worst side effects. "It can make you feel so fearless you would dare fight a policeman or even your own parents," he said.
Rino said his friend sold a mattress to buy the drugs. "That's humiliating," he said.
An addict could also become a thief, said Rino, whose wife is three months pregnant.
"I will not let my child experience the life I lead in my younger years. I won't tie him up in the house, but I'll give him understanding and trust so that he will be able to choose good friends out there," Rino said. (04)