NGOs seeks to combat Ecstasy drug menace

JAKARTA (JP): Representatives from more than 50 non- governmental organizations from 32 countries will meet here next month to discuss ways of combating the Ecstasy menace, which has spread to many parts of the world.

Indonesia will host the 16th International Federation of Non- Government Organizations (IFNGO) Conference for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse, on Dec. 2-6.

Putera Astaman, a retired police major general and chief of the organizing committee, said yesterday the NGO meeting would look into problems relating to Ecstasy and traditional drug abuse.

"Ecstasy abuse is happening not only in Indonesia, but also in many countries abroad," Putera said.

"We, the NGOs, feel called on to address the problems," said the chairman of Bersama, an umbrella organization for all activities in Indonesia related to the prevention of narcotic, psychotropic drug and other substance abuse.

Around 400 activists, 144 from Indonesia, have registered for the conference.

President Soeharto will open the conference which has the theme "Government and Non-Government Organizations Together Empowering Society for Drug-Free Human Resources".

Putera said the theme reflects the concerns Indonesia and most other countries have about the impact of drug abuse on the quality and productivity of their people.

Putera said the conference will discuss methods of informing the public of the dangers of drug abuse, treatment for drug addicts, and other action plans.

The participants will make a number of field visits, including one to the Suryalaya Islamic Rehabilitation Center in Bandung, West Java, dubbed Indonesia's success story in rehabilitating victims of drug addiction.

The IFNGO was established in Jakarta in 1979 by six NGOs: ADCA of Australia, Bersama of Indonesia, Pemadam of Malaysia, Philcadsa of Philippines, NGO-ANCC-NCSW of Thailand, and Sana of Singapore. (03)