Following a urine test by the police, both Tora and Mieke subsequently tested positive for benzodiazepine, a drug type that includes Dumolid.

South Jakarta Police narcotics unit chief, Comr. Vivick Tjangkung, said the couple claimed they had been using Dumolid to ease their insomnia.

“They claimed to take the drugs when they had insomnia. They also said they did not know that it was [a psychotropic drug]. All they knew was they took it to help them sleep so they could go to work the next day,” she said.

Tora and Mieke also told the police that they had obtained the drugs with a doctor’s prescription. Police investigators are investigating this claim.

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Andri, a psychosomatic clinic psychiatrist, told kompas.com on Friday that benzodiazepine is a psychotropic drug used to ease anxiety and cure insomnia.

Dumolid is a type of benzodiazepine, Andri said, and is used to help patients sleep.

"This drug can be used [as medicine]. The basis of its use should be as indicated by a doctor. Not a personal purchase," Andri said, adding that it was illegal to use without a doctor's prescription.

"I have often come across inappropriate usage. If given based on a doctor's indication, it could actually be very useful," Andri said. (liz/kes)

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