Sunday Essays: Crystal and leaves

IN ANY city in any world, drug abuse is a problem. No matter how developed or poor a country is, drug abuse is always present. Anybody can be addicted to illegal drugs, minors, people of age, even senior citizens. A vice so flexible and available is a vice difficult to quit. Illegal drugs, their trafficking and usage isnt simply a crime, but is also a social issue.

Davao City has its own share of drug problems, and has agencies dedicated to stopping them. Davaos success in its anti-drug campaign however still remains a question.

The Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is a policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its citizens, especially the youth from the harmful effect of illegal drugs on their physical and mental well-being. The government shall also pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign against the usage and selling of illegal drugs through careful planning and implementation which can be achieved through educating the people and arrest violators.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is a special arm of the Government which aims to suppress the drug problem and eradicate the players of the drug trade, with their vision of being a professional, effective, and well-respected government agency working for a drug-free Philippines. They coordinate with the police force for arresting violators.

The success or failure of the local government in addressing its drug problem is a question still waiting to be answered. Can we call it a success when there are still children who huff solvent openly in the streets, or can we call it a failure though people now are more aware of the existence of a local unit of PDEA?

According to PDEA Regional Director Emerson R. Rosales, Davao City is perceived to be the least drug affected city in the Philippines because of the local government leaders, and its uniquely strong anti-drug advocacy. Yet this does not mean that Davao is completely safe from drugs.

The most vulnerable areas in drug trafficking according to Rosales are coastal areas.

When there are illegal settlers and is in a coastal area, there is high chance of illegal drug activity, explained Rosales. PDEA data shows that 80 percent of arrested drug dependents are uneducated and unemployed.

As drug abuse has become a social problem, PDEA wants to end it at the roots. Instead of always just arresting violators, they educate Dabawenyos of the harmful effects of drugs through school seminars, fun runs, online contests, and short film making.

The government sees drug dependents as victims and not suspects, and are enrolled into rehabilitation centers for free.

See the article here:
Sunday Essays: Crystal and leaves