Using and abusing

Using and abusing

Alcohol and tobacco are by far the most commonly used substances among Jakarta's expatriate youth.

Without the hefty government taxes imposed by many Western nations on tobacco products, cigarettes are well within the budget of very young teenagers.

Supermarkets like Hero refuse to sell cigarettes to children under 18, but they are easily obtainable from sidewalk kiosks.

No teenager has problems getting alcohol; supermarkets, sidewalk stalls and bars all sell beer, spirits or wine freely.

"Some of the nightclubs started asking for ID cards a couple of years ago but I think they soon realised there's no point," one 17-year-old girl said.

"When there are five other nightclubs on the same street, they're just going to lose business by carding kids."

Drinks are expensive compared to the ludicrously low prices for drugs.

While an ecstasy pill in Australia or the U.S. could cost up to US$20 (about Rp 180,000), the same tablet in Jakarta is rarely more than Rp 70,000. A small packet of marijuana, enough to make five cigarettes, is around Rp 20,000.

"The funny thing is, it's cheaper to get high than it is to get drunk," one Grade 10 student told The Jakarta Post. "On a night out you might spend Rp 150,000 on alcohol but for less than half that you can get an e." -- Claire Harvey