Tuak Is Not An Alternative Rehabilitation For Drug Addicts

Member of the DPR and Secretary General of the Democratic Party Hinca Pandjaitan (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) disagrees with the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Hinca Pandjaitan, who said that drinking tuak can be a therapy for drug addicts. Tuak or a traditional alcoholic drink that is produced from a variety of fermented fruits or plants, is a psychoative substance.

Deputy for Rehabilitation of BNN, Yunis Farida Oktoris explained that drinking tuak is not a way to rehabilitate drug users. Because drinking tuak or other traditional alcoholic drinks actually worsens the condition of drug addicts.

"Taking drugs and alcohol can lead to addictive behaviors that are detrimental," Yunis said in a written statement to VOI, Thursday, November 21.

Because drinking tuak can cause the same behavior as drug users. This is triggered by dopamine compounds released by the brain to provide stimulation and the effect of eurofia to the body, resulting in addiction or addiction.

Yunis added that research and classification in the Guidelines for the Classification and Diagnosis of Mental Disorders (PPDGJ-III) or The International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), tuak or alcoholic drinks produced from various fermented fruits or plants are grouped under psychoative substances. .

"Alcohol, which is all drinks containing ethanol, such as beer, whiskey, vodka, brem, tuak, saguer, ciu, wine," he explained.

Yunis again emphasized that he did not agree with the option put forward by DPR member Hinca Pandjaitan regarding drinking pure tuak as an alternative method for drug addicts. Whatever the reason, consuming drugs or alcoholic drinks can damage organs such as the stomach and brain.

"Not (using alcohol), rehabilitated to reduce anxiety still use pharmacotherapy," he concluded.

Previously, DPR member Hinca Pandjaitan talked about his meeting with 18 former drug addicts in Siantar City, North Sumatra, some time ago. From their admission, they can get rid of drug addiction by drinking a glass of pure palm wine, typical of Siantar.

From there, a suggestion emerged that tuak could be used as an alternative therapy for drug addicts. Hinca understands, this statement will lead to pros and cons in the midst of society. However, Hinca hopes that BNN and research institutions can conduct further studies on the consumption of tuak.

"This may be controversial, but please BNN to research it. This local wisdom must be used. We must use all instruments to carry out rehabilitation," said the Secretary General of the Democratic Party, as quoted by Tempo.