Students vow to fight drug abuse on their campuss
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Hundreds of university students from Greater Jakarta have vowed to fight drugs at their respective campuses.
The declaration was read out during a commemoration for National Awakening Day last Friday at the campus of state Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University (UIN) in Ciputat, Tangerang regency.
The students expressed concern about drug use in the country, which often affected younger people.
"We are very concerned that the young generation, teenagers and even children, has become the victim of drug abuse," said the president of the UIN student executive body, Faisal Anwar, while reading out the declaration.
Faisal demanded that the courts hand out tough sentences for anyone involved in drug trafficking.
During the event, which also was held to mark the anniversary of UIN, representatives of the Jakarta Narcotics Board, the Private University Association and the City Education Agency signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to fight drugs on school campuses.
The event was attended by UIN Rector Azyumardi Azra, Jakarta Narcotics Board chairman Fauzi Bowo and City Education Agency head Margani.
Fauzi, who is also the deputy governor of Jakarta, stressed that fighting drugs required all elements of society.
"They (the criminals) have unlimited funds and sophisticated international networks. Therefore, we must join hands to fight drugs," Fauzi was quoted as saying by Antara news agency.
Azyumardi also stressed the need to hand down stiff penalties, including the death sentence, for drug traffickers.
There are an estimated 10,000 injecting drug users in Jakarta, mostly young people, including university students. These drug users face higher risks of contracting HIV/AIDS through the sharing of needles.
According to an official report, as of Dec. 31, 2004, there were 2,505 people living with HIV/AIDS in the capital, or 45 percent of the officially reported 5,540 cases of HIV/AIDS nationwide. These are official figures, and the true number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country is thought to be much higher.