T

he National Narcotics Agency (BNN) are assessing six boys aged 14 to 18 who tested positive for drugs during a routine raid on several nightclubs in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Sunday, according to BNN spokesman Sr. Comr. Sumirat Dwiyanto.

Sumirat said the raid was conducted early Sunday in several nightclubs chosen at random in the area.

'€œThe underage boys who tested positive for drugs were found alone or in a group at Venue Bar and Lounge and Neo Amor,'€ Sumirat told reporters on Tuesday.

He added that their urine samples were still being tested at the BNN laboratory to determine what drugs they had consumed.

'€œCurrently, the boys are undergoing an assessment. We have invited the KPAI [Indonesian Child Protection Commission] to be with the boys during the process,'€ he continued.

During the assessment, Sumirat said, officers from the BNN would question the offenders regarding their drug use to determine the appropriate length of their rehabilitation. The assessment will require the offenders to stay several nights at a BNN facility.

Meanwhile, KPAI commissioner Titik Haryati said that the commission would help streamline the assessment process so the boys could be quickly rehabilitated. '€œThe six boys are likely drug addicts who need help. The KPAI will try to streamline the process so they receive the help they need as soon as possible,'€ Titik said.

Moreover, Titik criticized the nightclubs for granting entrance to minors, and threatened legal action in future cases.

'€œHow could [the nightclubs] let such a young person enter the club? Isn'€™t the security responsible for checking the visitors'€™ identification card before entering? Nightclubs are not places for kids. The management of the clubs should know that,'€ she said.

'€œThe KPAI will warn and remind all nightclubs in Jakarta to prohibit underage visitors from entering. If we know of another case like this, we will file a police report against the nightclub.'€

Commenting on drug use among teens, youth psychologist Tiwin Herman said that teens tend to be pressured by their peers into committing illegal or deviant acts. '€œFor example, parents and teachers tell kids not to smoke or use drugs. However, they will smoke and use drugs if their peers do. Teens want to be accepted,'€ Tiwin said in an interview on Tuesday.

She said teens were generally vulnerable and emotionally unstable, given the changes that come with adolescence. In forming their own identity, she said, it was important for teenagers to have good peers and a positive environment.

'€œTeens are vulnerable, so they must be controlled. However, they don'€™t like being controlled, so parents should befriend their kids to keep tabs on their children without them feeling watched or controlled,'€ she said.

She also criticized the nightclubs and law enforcement for not having clear regulations regarding minors.

'€œSure, there are regulations that say kids under 18 can'€™t enter clubs or drink alcohol. But in reality, kids under 18 can still enter most nightclubs without identification. They can even buy alcohol in minimarkets,'€ she said. (dwa)