Pubdate: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: PNA Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SCARCITY RAISES SHABU PRICES ZAMBOANGA CITY: The price of the illegal drug methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) has increased due to its low supply in the region, said Supt. June Jamolo, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional director. Jamolo said the drug-abuse problem in the region is now manageable, due to the scarcity of the prohibited drug. He said the price of shabu has gone up, from P3,500 to P5,000 a gram. However, notwithstanding the scarcity of the illegal drug, the agency is pursuing its antidrug operation because shabu remains a common drug used by addicts in the city, Jamolo said. Marijuana is also available in some parts of Zamboanga del Sur and Zam-boanga del Norte. He said the low supply of shabu has reduced the problem in the city, but his team is still focusing on "hot spot" barangays to capture well-known drug pushers in these communities. The agency is taking precautionary measures to prevent the establishment of a shabu laboratory in Western Mindanao. - ---