Drug Addicts Should not be Sent to Jail: BNN

Gianyar, Bali (Antara) - The Gianjar office of the National Anti Narcotics Agency (BNN) in Bali, calls for Indonesian courts to send drug addicts to rehabilitation centers instead of to jail. "We support the call not to imprison drug addicts, but they should be treated at rehabilitation centers," I Made Pastika, head of the Gianjar BNN said on the sidelines of a program of Prevention and Eradication of Drug Abuses and Trafficking here on Wednesday. Made Pastika said his advocacy is in line with the law No 35 of 2009 that rules suspects found guilty of drug abuses be medically treated. He said he hoped that Indonesian courts of law would decide in line with the law. "We are ready to offer advocacy for suspects charged with drug abuses. We believe law enforces know well the difference between drug addicts and drug traders," he said. Head of the Gianjar prosecution office I Ketut Sumedana said he welcome the call. "We hope there is a memorandum of understanding on charges against drug addicts," Sumedana said. (*)