You can help a drug user

To treat a drug user in hospital or a rehabilitation center costs Rp 60 million a year, or Rp 5 million a month.

A 2003 survey carried out by the University of Indonesia and the Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (Love the Nation's Children Foundation, YCAB) showed 75 percent of Jakartans were aware of the risks of drug abuse, though most of them could not recognize the signs of drug addiction.

Here are some tips taken from various sources, including an interview with Elsar D.A. Hayer, counseling manager of the Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (Love the Nation's Children Foundation or YCAB).

DVICE FOR PARENTS:
1. Early stage of addiction: One week to three months mostly
- The young person is yet to adapt himself/herself to the effects of the drug.
- An evident change in behavior, most of the time shown as:
1. daydreaming
2. lying
3. stealing
Immediate action:
- Intensive monitoring, helping to create a new environment.
- Seeking advice from other parents, family members, religious directors and the young person's friends can be of help.

2. Moderate stage of addiction: Three months to six months - The young person has adapted himself/herself to the effects of the drug.
- The young person has become more "skillful" in manipulating the situation.
- Daydreaming, lying, stealing will be getting worse as the painful cravings for the drug require "extra efforts".
- Sign of violence, aggression, hypersensitivity start to appear Immediate action:
- Help from experts is vital.
- Support from parents, family members, friends, religious directors should be more intensive.

3. Acute stage of addiction: six months up to years
- The young person is fully dependent on drug.
- Notice physical changes: stuffy nose, sensitive skin, breathing difficulties, pale face.
Immediate action:
- Don't panic. Don't be judgmental.
- Family members must come to a unanimous decision to allow the child to receive detoxification treatment. The addicted person will tend to lean on those who are against the treatment. - Let the experts in.
- More love needed than advice.

OR YOUNG PEOPLE:
- Befriend "clean" groups.
- Know your own dreams, talents, interests and let them guide you.
- Learn to say no to drug by saying "No thanks", "I don't need it", "My parents will disagree", "I am busy", "I have no time for it", "That's dangerous stuff".
- Pick your own choices. Test your considerations. Use common sense.
- Always try to involve "wise" people as consultants on which action to take.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S FRIENDS
- Stay close. Listen to complaints patiently, while trying to help.
- Hate the drug but love the person.
- Ask him/her to seek counseling from trusted people, like doctors, psychiatrists, religious leaders.
- Ask him/her to stay away from other drug addicts. New environments are vital to avoid a relapse. Seek out new groups.

--JP