Pubdate: Sun, 16 Oct 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
Author: Alfred Dalizon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS RISING

THE number of drug addicts continues to increase, according to the
latest survey conducted by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

The 1999 survey showed that there are around 1.8 million regular users
and 1.6 million occasional users of dangerous drugs. The DDB said this
figure would have increased due to emerging trends in the local drug
scene. The result of the survey is yet to be released by the board.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chair Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. said
the three most popular drugs are shabu, marijuana and ecstasy.

In 2004, the PDEA said rehabilitation centers reported 5,500
admissions, reflecting a decrease of 32 percent compared with 7,113
admissions in the previous year.

Although patient admissions in government rehabilitation centers
remained high, there was a decrease in the admissions in private
rehabilitation centers due to the high cost of treatment.

Profile Of Drug Dependents

The survey showed that majority of drug users are in the 20-29 age
group. Male drug users far outnumber females, at the ratio is 9:1.
While shabu remains the drug of choice, many of the patients admitted
having abused glue, cough syrup, and even Nubain, an anesthetic.

Avenido said the involvement of foreign nationals in drug trafficking
is very apparent in almost all the big-volume seizures made by law
enforcement authorities. In 2002, 37 foreign nationals were arrested
for trafficking a total of 809.1 kilograms of shabu.

In 2003, 72 foreigners were arrested, and 3,255.2 kilograms of shabu,
3,322 kilograms of ephedrine, large volumes of other essential
chemicals, and several items of laboratory equipment with an overall
estimated value of P8.88 billion were confiscated.

Last year, 56 foreign nationals were arrested and 717.56 kilograms of
methamphetamine hydrochloride, 13 kilograms of ephedrine, large
amounts of other essential chemicals, and several items of laboratory
equipment with an overall estimated value of P5 billion were seized.
As of August this year, 23 foreign nationals so far have been arrested
and 69.26 kilograms of shabu have been confiscated, Avenido said.

Government efforts to eradicate marijuana plantations resulted in the
uprooting and burning of 5.11 million plants and seedlings in 2002.
In 2003, 5.29 million plants and seedlings were uprooted, while 2.38
million marijuana plants and seedlings were destroyed last year. As of
August this year, 8.48 million marijuana plants and seedlings have
been destroyed, the PDEA chief said. 
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