Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2012
Source: Jakarta Globe (Indonesia)
Copyright: 2012 Jakarta Globe
Contact:  http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5226
Author: Farouk Arnaz

COPS OFFER DRUG USERS A WAY OUT WITHOUT FACING TIME IN PRISON

Anti-narcotics officers have thrown drug addicts a lifeline: Turn 
yourself in and you will receive rehabilitation and be spared prosecuted.

Comr. Gen. Gories Mere, the head of the National Narcotics Agency 
(BNN), said on Sunday that the offer would be valid throughout June 
to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit 
Trafficking, which falls on June 26, and the anniversary of the 
establishment of the National Police, on July 1.

"Those who come in to report their drug use won't be prosecuted but 
will be placed in rehab" at the BNN's rehabilitation center in Bogor, he said.

Dik Dik Kusnadi, the head of outreach at the BNN, said those seeking 
to take advantage of the offer should report to a police station or BNN office.

"We hope that a lot of people use this opportunity to come forward. 
We've already put up banners in several locations," he said. "But 
this offer is just for users, not for drug dealers."

Of the estimated 3.8 million Indonesian drug users in 2010, only 
18,000 sought rehab, according to the BNN.

Under a government regulation issued in 2011, drug users can be 
exempted from prosecution and placed in rehab if their only offense 
is drug use.

Dik Dik said it was important to take this compassionate approach in 
tandem with law enforcement efforts to crack down on drug 
trafficking, as part of the BNN's target for a drug-free Indonesia by 2015.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom