Time to take stern measures against drug traffickers

JAKARTA (JP): An estimated 3.4 million people, or a quarter of Jakarta's total population, are known to be drug abusers. This is the figure disclosed in a survey conducted by a consortium of non-governmental organizations, the Program for Management and Eradication of Drugs and Narcotics Abuse (P4) in Jakarta, throughout rehabilitation centers for drug addicts, schools and public places last year. In 1999 the number of estimated drug abusers stood at only 2 million people.

The result of this survey is shocking enough, but an increase in the number of drug addicts also means a heavier burden on the local government. If one drug addict spends some Rp 100,000 a day on drugs, an estimated total of 3.4 million drug abusers will waste some Rp 340 million every day to satisfy their need for drugs.

This astronomical sum is frightening on its own, let alone if one takes into account the additional social costs incurred from drug-related diseases such as AIDS.

The most alarming issue that the results of this survey bring to our notice is that 85 percent of drug addicts are aged between 15 and 35, a fact which indicates a serious threat to the wellbeing of our future generations. What is the right action to take in combating drug abuse?

The following are excerpts from an interview with Arief Rachman, renowned educator and member of the Team for Handling Problems of Abuse of Narcotics and Addictive Substances in Jakarta since 1980.

Question: Drug trafficking is arousing more serious alarm now. Do you think it can be stopped at all?

Answer: Drug abuse is one of the most serious challenges confronting us at present. The difference (from substance abuse in the past) is that today drug abuse is practiced in a more advanced and sophisticated manner. Before we set out to eradicate it, we must first find out what the real causes are.

First, we can consider this matter from the drug traffickers' side. Usually, they are people bent on earning money without much work. If we wish to eradicate drug abuse, the government and the community must take repressive action to ensure that these traffickers will learn their lesson the hard way, while discouraging others from buying narcotics.

Severe punishments must be meted out and if necessary capital punishment will be needed. These traffickers must be made aware that what they do will destroy the young generation.

Second, we can consider this matter from the drug addicts' side. There are four types of drug addicts. The first type are people afflicted with family problems. The second type are children without a proper opportunity to show their identity. They will use drugs only to show off. Drug addicts of the third type are children seeking recognition from their group peers. They will just imitate what their peers do. The last type refers to those using drugs out of ignorance.

And the next step?

There are actually five steps to take. The first will be the provision of information to the broader community, particularly young people, about the hazards of drug abuse and the types of drugs and other addictive substances.

The second step will be to educate all segments of the community, such as parents, young people, students, and involve them in educational activities to ensure that they are really convinced drugs and other addictive substances are forbidden by religion.

The third step -- an alternative step -- will be mainly intended for young people who are in search of their own identity. They must be allowed to take part in, for example, arts, sports and environmental activities.

The fourth step is rehabilitation and will be taken only with respect to those falling victim to drug addiction.

And the last step is a repressive act. The law and some necessary regulations will be needed before this step can be taken. A repressive act will enable drug pushers to be punished.

And the responsibility for the last step falls on the government?

No, I don't think so. A school principal, for example, can take repressive action. He can dismiss a student involved in drug abuse.

Do you think drug pushers and drug users should be equally punished?

In my opinion drug users or people using drugs only as a trend and it is better that they be sent to rehabilitation centers. It is true that rehabilitation efforts will take longer, but administratively it will have a stronger effect.

However, if a drug addict is incurable, he must be expelled from the center and then given the same treatment as a drug pusher.

What other repressive steps do you know?

Police raids. The raids must be carried out at drug dealers' dens. Police know where these drug dealers' dens are because they have conducted raids many times. I'm afraid, however, that drug trafficking will never be abolished even until the doomsday comes. The most we can do is minimize it.

Why can't it be stopped?

Clearly, (Islam) has from the earliest of time prohibited its followers from taking opium and other substances that can cause intoxication ... but until now we still see (drug abuse).

Has our community control system been effective or not?

Well, I am not saying it is ineffective, but I think drug transactions are now conducted more openly. Let me give you an example. If we talk about a school, then we must pay close attention to the people in the immediate vicinity around the school. They may be cigarette, gado-gado or bakso (meatball) vendors, or parking attendants (who push drugs to the children). Drug-traffickers sometimes make them their agents, especially now while life is getting increasingly harder.

I believe, therefore, that the school must take action against the selling of drugs to its students. It must continually monitor its surroundings, test the students' urine and undertake regular searches in classrooms.

Why do you think young people constitute the biggest number of drug victims?

Well, young people are in a transition from childhood to adulthood. As children, they must obey their parents but as adults they can think independently. As young people they are caught in the middle. They are looking for their own identity and will be vulnerable to any influences, including those of drugs. However, things will be different if young people have activities outside of school.

But those activities will not guarantee us drug-free young people?

Not quite, but at least these activities may substantially reduce the possibility of being influenced by narcotics. In reality, though, even Maradona, the football superstar, can also succumb to narcotics.

Some young victims of drug addiction come from harmonious and religious families. How do you view this?

Young people are in a position where they can maintain a distance from their parents. Therefore, the biggest influence will not come from their families, but from their friends. They may become addicted to drugs if they choose the wrong people to associate with, regardless of the harmony in their families and the absence of problems in their lives.

Does it mean that parents must decide who their children's friends should be?

It is all parents' obligation to have knowledge about their children's friends. If any of these friends are not well behaved, parents must alert their children to it.

Who then is responsible when a child becomes a drug abuser?

It is true that children are influenced by their own families at home and by their school. However, it is the children alone that must bear the responsibility because parents and teachers cannot be with them round the clock.

Are you aware of what some people believe is a conspiracy to destroy this nation by means of drugs and narcotics?

If we read the history of nations, we'll understand that a nation can be destroyed through morality or by means of drugs. This suspicion is not unfounded, although research is needed to come up with proof. (Mohammad Yazid)