Pubdate: Wed, 31 Aug 2005
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
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/areas/Philippines

PDEA'S BATTLE WITH DRUGS TO INTENSIFY

More than P40 billion worth of illegal drugs were seized and equipment
used to manufacture shabu destroyed nationwide as the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency intensified its campaign, PDEA chief Anselmo
Avenido said.

Based on the report culled by PDEA from July 30, 2002 to June 30,
2005, the anti-narcotics agency dismantled 30 laboratories, 21 of
which are drug storage facilities, with six laboratories in Davao City
and Cagayan de Oro City.

Avenido claimed that an estimated 76,000 drug pushers and dependents
in Mindanao were also arrested.

He said that since 1991, the drug menace in Mindanao has been on the
upswing with drug users now reaching 3.4 million; 1.8 million of whom
are regular shabu users and 1.6 million considered as occasional users.

Avenido said occasional users prefer marijuana over shabu.

"The drug problem (in Mindanao) has a long way to go," he told
participants during a summit at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Presently, he said, the street price for a sachet of shabu is already
P250 compared to four years ago when a packet of shabu can be fetched
for only P100.

He said the rising price of shabu is a manifestation of a reduction in
supply due to the government's relentless campaign to reach the goal
of President Glora Macapagal Arroyo "drug-free" Philippines by 2010.

According to Avenido, shabu, also called the poor man's cocaine for
its relatively cheaper price, is still the preferred choice of drug
dependents followed by marijuana and Ecstasy pill.
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