On several occasions, West Java Police have arrested drug syndicates operating in West Java and the surrounding area. Three recent cases in 2009 alone show that West Java has already become not only a marketing area but a producing area.
These three cases were, first, the discovery of the factory for making amphetamines and methamphetamines at Pasir Peuteuy hamlet, Karya Mekar village in Bogor regency. Police found 221 types of ingredients, two FN-type pistols, 200 rounds of ammunition, one kilogram of raw methamphetamine and 900 Ecstasy pills.
The second case was the raid on the illegal drug factory at Bukit Indraprasta Kemang, in Bogor regency. The police at this time seized 76 substances to produce psychotropic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine.
The latest one was the raid on a drug factory in the Setiabudi area of Bandung on Nov. 6.
Many other successful operations have been conducted in West Java in 2009, however, instead of becoming a sign of successful police operations they serve to increase our apprehension. We need to be alert to this phenomenon, as the illegal drug factories are not only in Jakarta but also in other places such as West Java, East Java and Central Java.
Sumirat Dwiyanto, chief of public relations for the National Drugs Agency, said that the number of drug users in Indonesia has risen sharply from 3.2 million to 3.8 million users, according to research conducted in 2003 and the more current research of 2008.
Meanwhile lately, a report said deaths from HIV related to drug abuse has risen dramatically. Hasni Mukti, chief of disease prevention from Tasikmalaya, West Java said that contraction of HIV among drug users as a result of using unsterile syringes was rising, followed by contracting HIV from sexual activity, mostly passed from prostitutes to their customers.
The number of people living with HIV and AIDS registered in West Java province as of September 2009 is reported as 4,929 cases.
Between the ages of 20 and 29 reported numbers are 2,783 cases and from age 30 until 39 there are 1,149 reported cases. The rest are from minors less than one year old or senior citizens more than 60 years old.
Tio Setiadi from West Java Aids Prevention Commission said the increasing spread and prevalence among people was already at red alert status.
Looking at the rate increasing year by year, it is possible, if we do not take preventative and protective action, we will lose a generation.
The drug abuse issue is not easily addressed. It is a big business; many people are connected to and depend on this business, moreover Indonesia’ population at 230 million means a huge market.
The illicit drug dealers will use any opportunity and prey on our people as easy targets for their businesses; meanwhile, HIV and AIDS, as a drug abuse side effect, threaten the well-being of our nation.
It is not easy for those already addicted to drugs to break the habit and regain their health, because they relapse easily if circumstances allow.
Drugs dealers’ motives seem simply for profit, but maybe some people in the drugs business are involved in more subversive action.
Sulistyi Pudjo H
Bandung
