Threats of drugs abuse has been the attention of government, authorities, and society. Anti-drug abuse and drug prevention campaigns continue to be made. Yet, drug producers and dealers are not short of ways to produce new drugs in the attempts to prevent the drug from getting enlisted in government regulations on narcotics and illegal drugs.
AKP Endang Sulistyandini S.Psi from Drug Directorate of Yogyakarta Police Office said drug users generally looked for drugs that are easily accessible and affordable. “They are looking for drugs with faster effect and cheaper price so they would find new drug types,” said Endang in an anti-drug seminar at the Auditorium of Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM on Wednesday (3/5).
One of the new types of drugs found in Yogyakarta is named as ‘gorilla tobacco’. It was initially not included in the narcotics list that made it difficult for the law enforcers to bring the suspect to trial. But with the issuance of Health Minister regulation No. 2 Year 2017, ‘gorilla tobacco’ has been enlisted as illegal drugs. “The penalty for such drug is Law No 35 Year 2009 with a minimum of five years and a maximum of twenty years prison sentencing,” said she.
One who consumes ‘gorilla tobacco’, said Endang, will feel the effect of stiffness in the body so they find it difficult to move. “It is as if they were being bumped by a gorilla,” she said.
Users of this drug are generally young people that are trying out new drugs. “Usually it is the young people that try new things. After consuming the drug, the reaction will emerge in the first ten seconds and it culminates after one minute. In 15 minutes, the eyes get red, but the reactions will disappear after an hour,” she added.
In the past four months, said Endang, the Yogyakarta Police had uncovered eleven cases of ‘gorilla tobacco’.
Head of Drug Elimination Division of the Yogyakarta Regional Narcotics Agency (BNNP), AKBP Mujiana, asked the general public to wage war against drug dangers by reporting incidents of drug being used or circulated among society. “The people ought not to hesitate to report to the police if they see a drug user or dealer. Facts on the site are reportable, because the future of our generation is in danger if influenced by drugs,” he concluded.