IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – The coordinator of advocacy and campaign for justice (AKSI), Yohan Misero, demanded the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) immediately amend the Narcotics Law.
“Reform policies on narcotics, psychotropics, and other addictive substances (NAPZA) immediately, particularly in the aspect of massive imprisonment,” said Yohan in a written statement on Friday, June 26.
The community-based organization of NAPZA users said the policy had been listed multiple times in the national legislation program but had never been deliberated seriously.
To date, the campaign carried out by law enforcers that narcotic users would be rehabilitated remained far from reality. Yohan said the law called for a criminal charge of four years’ imprisonment at minimum for drug possession and five years for drug purchase.
According to him, Article 127 of the Narcotics Law that was touted as a rehabilitation article still spelled criminal charges.
Besides, health access for drug users has also become an ill-defined right and often depended on law enforcers’ generosity in interpreting the law.
He explained the inconsistency was evident in some of the drug cases implicating several public figures, such as Jefri Nichol and Dwi Sasono—both were sent home—whereas the cases involving Roy Kiyoshi and Lucinta Luna proceeded to the court. Politicians like Indra J Piliang, Andi Arief, and Henry Yosodiningrat’s son were also immediately discharged after being arrested.
He said this situation was in contrast with the fate of over 43,000 drug users who are presently behind bars. “That number may be even higher since many narcotics users are involved in the article on drug possession and purchase,” Yohan concluded.
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