Indonesia became the fastest nation in HIV growth in Asia. The use of shared needles is the most contributor to the various HIV cases in Indonesia. As many as 2682 people became HIV-AIDS (PLWHA) in 2004. This number increased rapidly to 19,973 people in 2009. "If at first it only occurred in 16 provinces in Indonesia, currently it is almost in 33 provinces," Prof. Dr. Nurul Ilmi Idrus, Thursday (17/2) said at a Seminar entitled Stigma on Drug, Junkies and HIV.
South Sulawesi is one of the provinces in Indonesia with the high number of cases of HIV and AIDS. Referring to the Provincial Health Office data per September 2010, there were 3684 people infected with HIV and AIDS, which consisted of 2762 HIV and 922 AIDS.
The city of Makassar, said Nurul, became one city in Indonesia with a rapid increase in the number HIV and AIDS infection, which is 3058 people, including 2390 of HIV and 668 AIDS. "One of the groups with high risk behaviors is injection users (junkies). Their number is currently estimated at 6,000 people. This is really worrying," she said at the UGM Center for Population and Policy Studies.
Nurul explained that Junkies is a slang term of drug injection users (IDUs). The term was derived on the word play of junk and became the stigma that is given to their community. Junkies among drug users occupy the top level, not only because of the type of drugs they use (heroin), but is known as a pete aka putauw. When compared with other types of drugs, the price is of course relatively more expensive and its use is through injection.
Although not all of them, in general junkies are recognized as criminals. This condition causes them to be socially isolated, not only by the public, but also by their own families. "Especially when the junkies are already infected with HIV," said the lecturer of Hasanuddin University in Makassar.
In many cases when there is a junkie among family members, it is seen as a disgrace. Families will feel ashamed, hide it, and sometimes even cut the family connection. Especially those who come from well-established families and has an important position. "Many official’s kids suddenly died. Because the more they are isolated, the more difficult it is to stop. They are preoccupied with the drunk condition," said Nurul.
It seems that moral support becomes their spirit booster for mild and severe junkies. Because a smile for them has become the spirit booster. Frequently these junkies provide help for each other, especially to their severely ill friends whose family do not care anymore. "They take care of each other to their death. They think that one day they will also need help," said Nurul.