Some clear thinking on drugs

Some clear thinking on drugs

From Pelita

I wonder why the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) gave its officials urine tests? Did they do it just because the government is currently cracking down on drugs, or did they have other objectives, such as to win the people's sympathy?

I think the urine tests will be ineffective and, perhaps, a useless waste of money. It costs about Rp 350,000 for one test, and then there is not likely to be any follow-up. If there was a follow-up, it would only harm the party. What I mean is, if party officials are found to have used drugs will they be dismissed or only given sanctions? If this was the case, it would just harm the party.

I am not suspicious but, again, I do not understand the purpose of the party giving its officials urine tests. Perhaps they just wanted to give some doctors a little work. Hopefully, this is not the case.

But really, it is easy to tell if someone is a drug addict. For example, just look at a person's behavior and relationships. So why give urine tests to PDI Perjuangan officials who look energetic and show no signs of drug abuse?

We can generally conclude whether someone is a drug user from their appearance or social relationships. And if we want to know the level of one's addiction, it is their blood that must be checked, not their urine.

I, therefore, suggest that the party examine or select those officials whose urine will be tested. But it should not announce the names or these officials will just take a certain liquid that can remove the drugs from their body.

SARIM SOERIPTO

Jakarta