Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2005
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Leila Salaverria
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

MORE DRUG ABUSERS TURNING TO MARIJUANA

DRUG users who are having a hard time getting "shabu" (methamphetamine
hydrochloride) have been turning to marijuana, according to Anselmo
Avenido, director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Speaking at the forum of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking on Monday, Avenido said the thing with marijuana
was it is easy to grow.

He said there had been instances when authorities burned marijuana
plants without realizing the seeds had dropped to the ground. After a
few weeks, the seeds would sprout into new marijuana plants.

But Avenido denied reports the Philippines had been exporting
marijuana and hashish, saying the marijuana available in the country
was of the "lower kind." He said most countries preferred the
marijuana from Mexico and Canada.

"Ang marijuana natin walang asim kung suka ito (If our marijuana were
vinegar, it has no bite)," he said.

The fight against illegal drugs received a boost last week after the
Dangerous Drugs Board classified ketamine as a dangerous drug. The
certification will be effective before the end of July.

Avenido said ketamine was commonly used as an anesthetic for people
and animals. Some people, however, have taken to using it as a
mind-altering substance.

He said users sometimes boiled the liquid ketamine to crystallize it.
They then snort the crystals, which directly affect the brain.

He said ketamine was slightly more expensive than shabu and was used
as a substitute for Ecstacy, another expensive mood-altering drug.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, meanwhile, called on
people to avoid drugs by valuing themselves and making healthy choices.

"Making healthy choices also means choosing a lifestyle that has a
positive effect on the body and mind, including, for example,
participation in sports to improve health and well-being," he said in
a statement. 
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