Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

POLICE INTENSIFY ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

The Anti-Illegal-Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) has
embarked on an intensified campaign to recruit parents and students in
the war against illegal drugs.

"While we are conducting massive raids to stop the supply of illegal
drugs in the streets, we are also meeting with parents and students to
educate them on the evils of illegal drugs," said AID-SOTF chief
Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon.

With the opening of classes only a few days away, De Leon said he has
ordered an intensified campaign against marijuana plantations in the
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) and the busting of shabu and
ketamine laboratories in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.

"My men are presently in the field following up leads given by our
informants," De Leon told The Star.

Since its inception in June 2003, AID-SOTF was able to neutralize
operations of more than 25 shabu warehouses and laboratories
nationwide and recovered at least 25 billion worth illegal drugs,
equipment and raw materials.

"We are able to greatly curb the supply side and we are now working on
the demand side," said De Leon.

De Leon, Chief Superintendent Oscar Valenzuela, director of the
Eastern Police District (EPD) and Marikina Mayor Maria Lourdes
Fernando will launch an anti-drug program dubbed "Pamilya ko Ayaw sa
Droga" (PAD) at the City Hall compound at 8 a.m. today. " We cannot
accomplish our job alone so we will bring the parents and students to
our side to curb the demand side of the illegal drugs problem," De
Leon said.

De Leon also launched PAD on Thursday in Quezon City. Those who
attended the affair were Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Vice
Mayor Herbert Bautista and other top local officials.

De Leon is hoping that PAD would be launched in other areas in the
metropolis before the opening of classes on June 6. "We are initially
targetting Metro Manila before proceeding to launch PAD in the
provinces," he said.

The PAD project is in cooperation with Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido
of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). 
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