Pubdate: Sat, 27 Aug 2005
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: JGD
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Davao+Death+Squad
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rodrigo+Duterte
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Philippines

FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

PDEA Chief Cites Political Will In Winning The War Vs Drugs

Director General Anselmo Avenido Jr. of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency attributes the success of the anti-illegal drugs
campaign in the city to the political will of the city government.

He said the Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's all-out support to the anti-drug
operatives by even providing legal assistance when needed, has made a
difference in the battle against drugs.

"The situation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign in Davao is good.
Many operatives here are encouraged to run the anti-drugs campaign
because they are aware of all the support by the local government even
if they are filed counter-charges as offshoot of arrests of
drug-offenders," he said.

Avenido said the supply reduction aspect of the campaign fares well
compared to the demand reduction.

He said shabu use has been cut in a half following an intensified
campaign in the past three years.

"We have dismantled 30 shabu laboratories and 51 drug storage
facilities nationwide, including six laboratories found in Davao City
and Cagayan de Oro City" Avenido said.

Avenido noted that since 1991, the total number of drug abusers rose
to 3.4 million.

He however could no longer give the latest information of the latest
statistics of drug abusers pending the release of the 2004-2005 Survey
on Drug-Abusers.

Avenido revealed further that the shabu or poor man's cocaine remains
the preferred substance among abusers followed by marijuana and the
pill Ecstasy, which is very expensive.

He said with the scarcity in the supply of shabu, drug users resort to
using marijuana resulting to a rising trend in the use of marijuana.

"The demand for marijuana is rising again. The only consolation we
have is the home-grown marijuana is of low quality compared to the
ones used in other countries," Avenido said.

When asked by media on the summary executions of alleged drug users in
the city, he said "extra-judicial killing is never a part of our
strategy because it is unlawful," he said. 
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