Pubdate: Tue, 16 Aug 2005
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: JG
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

DE LEON SAYS DEMAND REDUCTION IS PROBLEM IN ANTI-DRUG DRIVE

Philippine National Police Deputy Chief for Administration Gen.
Ricardo de Leon said the illegal drug problem is not so much the
reduction of supply, but the reduction of demand for it.

De Leon, who served as provincial commander of Oriental Negros from
1988 to 1990, was the guest speaker in the PC/INP Recognition Day in
Dumaguete City Friday.

He said that, during his stint, there were only 500,000 shabu users
all over the country, but now it has gone up to 3.4 million.

After his assignment in the Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign for one year,
De Leon said 65 percent of the drug problem has been addressed, in
cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law
enforcement units.

In their Aug. 4, ASEAN-China Cooperation on Prohibited Don Demand
Reduction meeting in Cebu City, De Leon said the Philippines stressed
the need for a family-based approached in addressing the drug problem,
in a program called "Pamilya ko, Ayaw sa Droga."

He added that reducing illegal drugs is imperative, because of the
vulnerability to it of about 17 million children and youth.
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