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Spate of celebrity arrests highlights drug prevalence

The list of celebrities arrested for alleged drug abuse has kept growing these past few months

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Mon, February 19, 2018

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Spate of celebrity arrests highlights drug prevalence

T

he list of celebrities arrested for alleged drug abuse has kept growing these past few months.

The arrest of Dhawiya Saida, daughter of dangdut singer Elvi Sukaesih, along with her two elder brothers, fiancé and her sister-in-law for alleged drug abuse is but one in a long list of Indonesian celebrities recently linked to the illicit activity.

Rampant drug use has swept through Jakarta’s celebrity circles, with dangdut singer Roro Fitria and actor Fachri Albar also being arrested last week.

Dhawiya and Roro were arrested for the alleged possession of crystal methamphetamine, locally known as shabu-shabu, while Fachri was allegedly found with marijuana, methamphetamine and Dumolid.

In January, celebrity Jennifer Dunn was nabbed for the consumption of methamphetamine, along with her alleged drug dealer. According to the dealer, Jennifer had consumed meth 10 times prior to her arrest.

Last year alone saw award-winning actor Irwan Susetyo Pakusadewo, known as Tio Pakusadewo, arrested and put into rehab for meth use in December. In November, Marcello “Ello” Tahitoe was collared for marijuana possession. In August, actor Tora Sudiro and his wife were caught in possession of Dumolid. The list goes on.

National Narcotics Agency (BNN) deputy head for drug control Insp. Gen. Arman Depari told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that the celebrities’ lifestyle tended to gravitate toward drug use.

“They know drug use is against the law, they claim they do it because of peer pressure or to maintain their stamina. That’s just an excuse, they use drugs recreationally,” said Arman, adding that celebrities had easy access to illicit drugs because of their strong finances.

Arman said the use of methamphetamine was prevalent at the moment. Previously, he said, the popular drug was ecstasy.

Risa Fauzi Alexander, an activist at a non-profit organization focusing on sustainable treatment and rehabilitation for drug users, Yayasan Karitas Sani Madani (Karisma), said that substance use and abuse was an issue that affected all layers of society, not just celebrities.

“The problem is widespread, but because celebrities command a large following and are influential, they make it onto the news more often than ordinary users,” said Risa over the phone.

As for their reasons, Risa said that most of the time, people across all ages and socioeconomic statuses used drugs as a coping method against real-life problems.

She also voiced her concern over Indonesia’s legal system, which put drug users in criminal court, while what they needed was rehabilitation. “A number of countries have imposed a legal system that puts users into rehab instead of prison.”

Arman, however, defended the system saying, “rehabilitation is not out of the question as part of the healing process for the addict, but the law must still be upheld.”

Indonesia’s tough policy on drugs is echoed in the frequent shooting of alleged drug dealers by law enforcement.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last July said law enforcers should shoot drug dealers on sight without mercy.

The sentiment is one shared by National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, who also in July said he was ready to follow Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s example in the war against drugs.

President Rodrigo Duterte is infamous for his tough stance on drug dealers, with nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead at the hands of the police and another 2,000 dead in “drug-related” killings since he took office in 2016. (jlm)

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