"Too late and too much!" This was the reaction of Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz to the action taken by Pasig City Mayor Vicente "Enteng" Eusebio by ordering the demolition of the shanties that served as evidence of what was once a shabu (hydrochloride methamphetamine) market. Cruz, citing media reports, said the shabu market has been in existence for the past two years but the local government only acted after it was discovered by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF). [continues 473 words]
Young workers using prohibited drugs are increasing. This was the result of the study conducted by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) concerning the prevalence of drug use among the youth or those within their productive age. Alex Aguilar, spokesman of TUCP, an organized labor group, explained that previously the problem among young workers was alcohol abuse, but this is superseded now by drug addiction. "Mostly, the reason they raised for being into drugs and alcohol use are peer pressure, while some are just curious, but eventually they can no longer resist it and they become hooked on it," Aguilar said. [continues 316 words]
The proposed drug testing for candidates in the 2004 polls will no longer be implemented. This, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) admitted that it cannot enforce or compel candidates to undergo drug testing and attach the result of the test to their certificate of candidacy (COC). Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said the Constitution only provides that for a candidate to qualify, he must be a Filipino citizen, registered voter, of legal age and a resident of a certain area for at least six months and has no derogatory records. "Qualification for the position is prescribed under the law and drug addiction cannot be used as grounds to disqualify candidates seeking a post because it's not part of the requirement," Abalos said. [continues 431 words]
