ALMOST 1 MILLION YOUTHS ABUSE DRUGS: EXPERT

JAKARTA (JP): Drug abuse is currently affecting at least 900,000 members of
Indonesia's youth, says an expert.

The figure represents 70 percent of 1.3 million known cases from the age
group of 12 to 55, said police Maj. Gen. Hadiman, president of the Social
Cooperation Agency for Promoting Noble Citizens (Bersama Indonesia).

"Practically every social level, age group, broken and happy family have
been affected," he said on the sidelines of an ASEAN NGO workshop here Monday.

Apart from Hadiman, two other speakers presented their views in the morning
session on the first of the three-day workshop including Encik Hamzah Sidang
Mohammad of Malaysia and Dr. Bhakdi Juttijudata who was represented by Dr.
Nareewan Chintakanond.

Drug distribution points in Indonesia have widened from big ports like
Medan, Jakarta, Ujungpandang and Bali to smaller ports like Palu in
Southeast Sulawesi, Hadiman said.

Asked about the involvement of children of top government officials in drug
abuse, Hadiman said: "Drug distribution has affected all segments of society."

Recently, five military officers were arrested on charges of possession of
60kg of drugs. Last month, the son of a top Indonesian Army general was also
implicated in a drug abuse case.

Asked about the follow up of all these cases, he said: "You will have to
check these matters with the police".

Bersama has set up information centers throughout Indonesia to provide
essential information on drug abuse, symptoms, existing programs and future
plans. It also disseminates educational information to get parents and
society participation in the problem.

"They (parents) could occasionally check the (school children's) bags for
questionable pills, powder or cigarettes. Most of them not aware of any
problems until the police get involved," he said.

Hadiman urged parents to establish better communication with their children
and that they should guide and teach them to say no to drugs and to
attentively monitor their activities.

Society could also make their contribution by taking preventive action and
necessary steps to treat the addicts, he said.

Drug vendors, driven by big profits, combine substances of similar
characteristics like detergents and powders which are hazardous in nature.

"In the last few months, at least 30,000 people have died from drug abuse,"
Hadiman said.

Meanwhile, in his paper Dr. Juttijudata cited the "Friends for Friends" plan
in Thailand where school children are provided with one and a half days
training on drug abuse, persuasion, physiology, team work, basic Chamma
(good deeds) and others.

"The student groups, comprising 60 students from each school, will play an
active part in drug abuse prevention", said Dr. Chintakanond.

The workshop is the 9th International Federation of Non-Governmental
Organization (IFNGO) focusing on drug abuse among young people. (06)