Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: People's Journal (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 People's Journal
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

STONED STATE

WHILE the nation busied itself with the jueteng scandal, "Hello,
Garci" tapes, the impeachment of President Arroyo, and recently
charter change and the proposed shift of form of government from
presidential to parliamentary, millions of our countrymen just got
high.

And we mean getting themselves hooked on drugs.

They must have thought that since politicians, church leaders,
businessmen, and civil society would rather engage in endless partisan
debates, legal disputes, and other mind-bending maneuvers, they'd
rather get a satisfying kick out of shooting shabu or smoking pot.

The trouble is, substance abuse is victimizing the young and
productive segment of the population.

A broadsheet reported that at least two million Filipino workers are
now hooked on illegal drugs even as the number of drug users in the
workplace is still growing rapidly.

Labor Undersecretary Manuel Imson said about 30 percent of the
recorded 6.7 million drug users nationwide are young, educated workers.

Imson said based on data from the National Statistics Office, the
typical Filipino drug user is 25 years old, single, employed, lives in
an urban area, and has an average monthly income of P4,726.

"What is more alarming is that in all cases admitted for drug
treatment and rehabilitation in year 2004, 33 percent were employed.
How many returned to work after rehabilitation remains unknown," the
paper quoted the DoLE deputy chief as saying.

It cited data from drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities last
year showing that those admitted were, on the average, 29 years old,
single, belonged to a family with three or four siblings, lived in
urban areas, and about 30 percent of them employed.

Imson said data from the Dangerous Drugs Board also showed that the
number of drug dependents has nearly doubled in the past five years.

He thus stressed the need to curb the worsening drug menace since it
now threatens the country's workforce.

"The far-reaching effects of substance abuse threaten the productivity
and efficiency at the workplace. We are aware that drug users may
initially incur absence during the week, but as the addiction
progresses, absenteeism becomes frequent," he said.

He noted that drug use could result in higher medical and human
resource development costs.

With the high number of employed drug dependents, Imson said the
government identified the workplace as a primary venue for
implementing preventive programs towards a drug-free
Philippines.

Here's where law enforcement comes into the picture.

Considering that drug addiction has hit the workplace, the production
centers, it becomes a threat to the country's economic stability and
national security.

Therefore, a total war on illegal drugs must be waged not only by the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency but all security units of the
government and the lethal arsenal in their hands. 
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