THE way the police played up the arrests of Nia Ramadhani and Anindra Ardiansyah Bakrie, or Ardie Bakrie, was indeed excessive. Even if the couple did use methamphetamine, as long as they were not selling or distributing it, they are not criminals. They should be treated as victims of drug abuse.

Of course, the acts of these celebrity-businesspeople were far from praiseworthy. As public figures, Nia and Ardi should be aware that t