Bandung Catholic universities against the dangers of drug use among students
Bandung (AsiaNews) - In Indonesia, 50 people die every day from drugs. The government estimates that this year the number of addicts will exceed 5 million. Of these, less than 50,000 will be treated in rehabilitation centres, this according to a two-day seminar on drug abuse held on 6 and 7 March at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, West Java province.
The seminar, which was attended by about 40 students from Parahyangan Catholic University and other private universities in Bandung, was sponsored by the Sekar Mawar (YSM) Foundation, which is part of the Diocese of Bandung, in cooperation with the college that hosted the event.
Bandung is the only diocese in Indonesia with a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, the YSM Foundation. This year, Bandung's Catholic university will celebrate 60 years since its founding.
"We are fully aware of the risks that our students face with drug use," Pius Sugeng Prasetyo, the vice dean of Parahyangan Catholic University, told AsiaNews. "For this reason we decided to work with the foundation. We hope that students will undertake initiatives to counter the dangers of drugs."
According to Senior Police Superintendent Sumirat Dwiyanto, head of the head of the National Narcotics Board (BNNP) in the province of North Sulawesi, which sponsored the seminar, the most vulnerable groups are youth, including high school and university students.
In order to encourage student participation, and raise awareness of the dangers and harmful effects of drugs, young people were invited to share their personal experiences, analyse the issue and reflect on prevention.
"The aim of the workshop is to reduce the pressure on the students to consume illegal substances by raising their awareness about possible harmful effects," Anastasia Cakunani, CEO of the diocesan YSM Foundation, told AsiaNews.
In addition to members of Indonesia's National Narcotics Board, various mental health experts, as well as pharmacists and doctors were present at the meeting.
A pharmacist, Jerry, told his story as a former drug addict. "At the beginning drugs can have positive effects: lifting one's spirits, inducing relaxation and even giving one more energy. Eventually though, they end up causing damage to a person's mental and physical health, relationships and life in general. "
Psychiatrist Benny Ardjil and psychologist Mahdalela demonstrated the effects of drug use on the brain and the damages they can cause.
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15/02/2020 09:18
