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Foreign inmates join drug rehabilitation program
Fri, 09/05/2008 11:33 AM | Bali
A number of foreign inmates at the Denpasar penitentiary, including two Australians, a Swiss and a Briton, have joined drug rehabilitation and been placed on a methadone program.
Anak Agung Gde Hartawan, head of the penitentiary's clinic, said the inmates were part of 29 inmates taking part in drug rehabilitation at the penitentiary, the largest prison in Bali.
The 29 inmates are among 914 inmates at the penitentiary, which is far beyond the prison's capacity of 326, Hartawan told a 17-member study tour group from Myanmar on Tuesday.
He said 43 percent of inmates at the penitentiary were convicted for illegal drug use, while the rests were jailed for theft or other crimes.
Illegal drug use cases includes both drug consumers and dealers. "Ideally, inmates of such a category should have been separated from those involved purely in crime cases," he said.
The two Australian inmates, whose identities have not been disclosed for family reasons, joined the rehabilitation program using the methadone technique, where participants orally consume synthetic heroin to stop their dependence on drugs.
Such a technique is the most suitable for drug addicts who inject, Hartawan said, adding that drug users who inject were easily exposed to HIV infection through shared syringes.
Methadone packages are now available in a number of community health centers (Puskesmas) throughout Bali, including the one in Kuta.
One of the two Australian inmates, who was sentenced to death, gave testimony to Hartawan that such a therapeutic program was beneficial to inmates with acute dependence on narcotics and heroin.
"I've been sentenced to death and was very stressed. But gradually I'm successful by joining the rehabilitation program. At least I can now start to exercise and read," said the unidentified inmate.
Besides joining the methadone technique, it has been suggested that the inmates take part in rehabilitation at the penitentiary using other methods, Hartawan said.
With regard to the prevention of HIV/AIDS spread at the Denpasar penitentiary, Hartawan said that an intensive program introduced in 2004 had shown progress.
An increasing number of inmates are willing to do HIV tests, search for medication and are actively involved in various prevention programs at the penitentiary, he said.
"The most important thing here is the management of the penitentiary should have been consistent with their commitment to continue such prevention programs," he said.
Being brave enough to admit the existence of a health problem like HIV and dependence on narcotics and heroin at the penitentiary, Hartawan said, is the key in implementing the rehabilitation programs.
"We should not hide, but be brave enough to give appropriate medication and therapy," Hartawan said.
According to the Myanmar delegates, officials of the ministries of health and social services and police in Myanmar also face major problems relating to HIV/AIDS.
Brig. Gen. Zaw Win, deputy director general of Myanmar Police, said there were many accommodation centers for drug addicts in Myanmar, but it was difficult to coordinate them for intensive rehabilitation. -- Luh De Suriyani
