Viral Video of 8-Year-Old in Serang Addicted to Sniffing Petrol Prompts Government Intervention

A viral video showing an 8-year-old boy in Tirtayasa District, Serang Regency, Banten, allegedly addicted to sniffing petrol has prompted a response from the local government, which is now planning to rehabilitate the child. The video shows a group of children gathered at a post or hut, with one boy in a yellow shirt holding an open bottle of petrol. He repeatedly inhales the fumes from the bottle while other children ask him about the taste, though he does not respond. Tirtayasa Sub-district Head Munarpi confirmed he was aware of the information regarding the child’s addiction. He noted that the child is not being raised by his biological parents. “Perhaps it is due to a lack of affection from his parents, because they are separated. His mother is working in Jakarta, so he is being looked after by his relatives,” Munarpi said on Thursday. Munarpi added that he is currently contacting the child’s family. The Serang Regency Social Service, together with the local community health centre, plans to provide rehabilitation. “The plan is for the Social Service to handle it. Hopefully, the family will agree. He will be rehabilitated,” he stated.