7 Ilocos Norte towns declared 'drug-free'

LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Seven towns in Ilocos Norte are now considered "drug-free", local authorities said.

 

The Provincial Peace and Order Council of Ilocos Norte have certified Adams, Banna, Burgos, Currimao, Dumalneg, Piddig and Vintar as "drug-free". At least 518 barangays in the province have also been delisted as being drug-affected.

 

Mayors from each town received their certification after evaluations by the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

 

Villages, towns, cities and provinces are declared drug-free if there are no more drug users, pushers and dens in the area.

 

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Lanibelle Ancheta said 198 more barangays are awaiting endorsement and validation to be declared drug-free.

 

Ancheta said the supply and demand of drugs in Ilocos Norte are decreasing due to effective rehabilitation and reformation programs for drug users.

 

"The decrease in the number of arrested persons and seizure of illegal-drugs during anti-drug operations indicates a non-availability or low supply of drugs in the province," she explained.

 

"We in PDEA will continuously bring the anti-drug campaign to the grassroots. Law enforcers will continue to be more vigilant and sustain our strengthened efforts to suppress and prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the province."