Pubdate: Sun, 24 Nov 2002
Source: Cebu Daily News  (Philippines)
Copyright: 2002sCebu Daily News
Contact:  http://www.cebudailynews.com.ph/metro5.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1723
Author: Wenna A. Berondo

GOV'T AGENCIES HELPLESS AGAINST DRUG SYNDICATES

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE to stop the drug addiction problem in the country without
the cooperation of all sectors of the society.

Senior Supt. Zosimo Magno of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit said that
the government "is exerting all its effort to stop the proliferation of
illegal drugs," but would need the help of the community to do it.

"Kining problemaha, di na basta basta (This problem cannot be taken for
granted). We should all move in unison. Let us get involved in solving it
rather than being a part of the problem," he encouraged the government
information officers during a forum on drug prevention held at the Pag-ibig
Fund Region 7 on Monday.

He said that 20 years ago, "Manila was the only place with a drug problem,
but today the problem has already spread even up to the barangays."

He noted that in 1972, there were only 20,000 drug users in Manila, most of
whom used marijuana. Now, there are about 1.8 million users nationwide using
shabu. Of the number, 1.2 million users belong to the youth sector.

There are more than 5,000 patients in rehabilitation centers nationwide. The
number is still increasing, Magno said.

Seventy percent of brutal or heinous crimes are drug-related and more than
20,000 drug cases clog the dockets of the courts.

Magno encouraged the public to report any drug activities to police through
the "Private Eye," a program that gives rewards and protection to anyone who
provides information that will help the government stop the proliferation of
illegal drugs.

He said that the drug trade "is a lucrative business, that is why many
people are involved in selling drugs, even government officials and police."

"Karun, naningkamot na ato gobierno para maundang na ato problema sa druga
(The government has been trying hard to stop this problem). Our law on drugs
was already amended and strongly implemented," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk