CEBU, Philippines – The estimated number of drug users has declined to 1.7 million nationwide, according to Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Clarence Paul Oaminal, based on a survey conducted by the Philippine Normal University and the Department of the Interior and Local Government last year.
In the 2004 survey, the estimated number of drug users is 6.7 million nationwide.““However, regardless of the decrease in the estimated number of drug users, Oaminal is saddened to know that Region VII (Central Visayas) together with Region X (Northern Mindanao) top the list of regions with the most number of drug users. ““He is hopeful, though, that in due time the country will be freed of illegal drugs and that this could be achieved with the help of every individual who he urged to be an advocate against the illegal drugs trade.““In line with DDB's battlecry “Dugmokon ang droga”, the Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council spearheaded the creation of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council in various city barangays such as Duljo-Fatima, Mambaling and Basak-San Nicolas.““Oaminal said that before, most of these barangays were reluctant to initiate the BADAC and submitted their accomplishment reports only to claim honorarium.““But now, Oaminal added, they see to it that submitted reports have been subscribed and notarized, and under oath of the various committees and barangay officials who had attended a seminar on anti-drug abuse. – Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)