YACB to hold tours on anti-drug abuse

JAKARTA (JP): Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YACB), a foundation preventing drug abuse, is organizing a series of tours and seminars in Semarang, Yogyakarta, Solo and Bali from Aug. 21 until Sept. 4, a foundation official said on Wednesday.

YACB spokesman Alice Joe said the seminar series would begin at Gradhika Bhakti Praja in Semarang, Central Java, on Aug. 22, and continue with events at Graha Sabha Pramana in Yogyakarta on Aug. 23, Hotel Utami Surabaya on Aug. 29 and the Ksir Arnawa building in Taman Budaya in Denpasar on Sept. 2.

As well as organizing seminars, the foundation will also send its Yada Band to stage antidrug concerts at Jatidiri sports stadium in Semarang on Aug. 22, Graha Sabha Pramana building in Yogyakarta on Aug. 24, Manahan sports stadium in Solo, Central Java on Aug. 26, GO Skate building in Surabaya on Aug. 30 and in the KONI building in Denpasar on Sept. 4, she said.

YACB vice president Iskandar said many foundations were concerned with drug addicts, but they focused on rehabilitation and treatment.

"Actually, prevention can deter teenagers from become drug addicts and also save their parents' money for their children's medical treatment," he said.

Established in August last year, YACB focuses its activities on drug prevention, campaigning, counseling, research and seminar activities. Its main targets are school children.

Alice said the foundation has recently completed a seminar and concert at Saburai sports stadium in Lampung.

"80 percent of drug addicts in Indonesia are students.

"Through our campaigns, hopefully Indonesia will be free from drugs by 2005," he said.

Iskandar said five percent of drug addicts suffer from hepatitis C and another 33 percent from HIV.

The foundation is financed through donations received from a group of entrepreneurs and voluntary contributions. (01)