Psychotropic law useful: Dibyo

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo said yesterday the enactment of 1997 Psychotropic Law No. 5 had helped reduce the number of drug cases in the country.

Heavier punishment stipulated in the law had made many people think twice before they got involved with drugs, he said.

"I can't give an exact figure, but it is obvious that the number of drug-related crimes has decreased since the law was applied," Dibyo said.

He was speaking during a one-day seminar on drugs and drug addicts here yesterday.

The existence of the law had also reduced the import and circulation of psychotropic drugs, especially Ecstasy, in the country, he said.

"But that doesn't mean there aren't any more drugs in the country. We're still facing a great threat from drugs," he said.

The police would always be ready to fight against drug users and dealers and to eliminate drugs, he said.

"We'll continue our routine operations at places which are prone to drug abuse. We've prepared a special budget to finance the battle," he said.

Dibyo refused to reveal the amount. "It's not much. Only a dozen million rupiah." (cst)