Illegal Drug Situations in the Philippines

According to the DDB’s 2015 National Household Survey, there were around 1.8 million drug users in the country wherein 38.36% of which are unemployed. As of February 2016, PDEA reported that 26.91% or 11, 321 out of the country’s 42,065 barangays were “drug affected” (mostly in urban areas). A barangay is said to be drug-affected when there is a proven existence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator or other drug personalities regardless of number in the area. On record, NCR has the highest rate of affectation with 92.96% of the region’s barangays, followed by CALABARZON at 49.28%.

            Based on PDEA’s 2015 arrest data, methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu (90%) reportedly tops the list of most abused illegal drugs, followed by marijuana and costly party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.

            The afore-cited statistical data is indicative of the worsening drug problem that has victimized mostly the underprivileged and impoverished sector of the society. Although much has already been done and accomplished in the national campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, yet the problem persists and it continues to breed social ills. Apparently, in the quest to go after high level drug traffickers, the government seems to have overlooked the worsening drug problem at the grassroots level.

            The archipelagic set-up of the Philippines is exploited by traffickers to transport illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals into the country. The international and local airports and seaports, mail and parcel services and the vast expanse of coastline are being utilized as entry and exit points.

            There are three transnational drug organizations operating in the Philippines, namely:

a.    The Chinese or Filipino-Chinese drug syndicates dominate the drug market in the country. They facilitate production, manufacturing and bulk smuggling of dangerous drugs in the country. These activities ensure the supply of drugs in the market. Their activities are largely concentrated within their group, with the inclusion of very few and well-selected locals;

b.    The African Drug Syndicate (ADS) is responsible for smuggling drugs through the airports using drug couriers/swallowers; and

c.    The Mexican-Sinaloa Drug Cartel is a new drug group operating in the Philippines. They associated with the Chinese drug Group to penetrate the Philippine market.

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has predicted the country could become a 'narco-state' if the country's tide of drug addiction is not pushed back. In 2012, the United Nations said the Philippines had the highest rate of methamphetamine use in East Asia, and according to a U.S. State Department report, 2.1 percent of Flipinos aged 16 to 64 use the drug, which is known locally as "shabu"

Despite the seemingly tamed and glamorized idea of drug use, it must be remembered that it can still lead to abuse, addiction, legal offenses, serious health problems, and even death. We must understand that there is no way to predict the effect that a drug can have on a person, especially if it is the first time they try it, and even regardless of dose and amount. Given that each person’s brain and body chemistry are different, each person would also have a different tolerance for drugs.

If you suspect that a friend is using or selling illegal drugs, talk to him or her. Let your friend know that you care. Talk to your parents, teacher, school counselor, the Authorities or another trusted adult.

You alone can't make your friend stop doing drugs. It takes professional help. Counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and Jail are among the interventions against the proliferation of illegal  drugs. Contact the PNP or PDEA for guidance or legal action.