Nubain is dangerous drug starting Jan. 28

CEBU, Philippines - Effective January 28, Nalbuphine hydrochloride, more widely known as Nubain, will already be considered a dangerous drug.

Clarence Paul Oaminal, former Dangerous Drugs Board undersecretary, said this means that law enforcers nationwide shall then start filing violation of Section 5 or Section 11 of Article II of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the offenders.

This violation carries the penalty of life imprisonment instead that of the Cebu City ordinance against Nubain which only carries the penalty of a one-year imprisonment or a fine of P500.

The DDB regulation reclassifying the drug has been published in a newspaper of general circulation last January 13. The publication is a requirement of law before it takes effect, Oaminal explained.

“Important kaayo ni para ma-aware ang mga prosecutors ug law enforcers unsa i-file nga kaso, nya ang mga pharmacy dili pataka og dispense, naa gyud kinahanglan yellow prescription before they dispense. Kay kun dili nato mabalita, daghan nya moreklamo nga ignorant sila sa balaod, nya dili ra ba intawon defense na,” Oaminal said.

The abuse of Nubain, which is a painkiller used among pregnant women, has expanded to other areas in Cebu which for the past decade has been peddled in Barangay Kamagayan.

Former DDB chairman and Sen. Tito Sotto together with Oaminal convinced the board that Nubain abuse is nationwide and not only in Cebu that is why it took several years for it to be reclassified.

Oaminal claimed that he and Sotto prevailed upon those who opposed its reclassification who included medicine distributors and doctors. They found out that a number of nubain abusers are with the medical field such as doctors, nurses and medical representatives.

“One of the worse incidents of Nubain peddling is the case of a woman of attempted to smuggle 30 ampoules of Nubain last 2009 in BBRC inside her sexual organ. Outside Cebu City, the police have complained of helplessness that despite of Nubain abuse in their area of responsibility even with in their presence, they couldn’t arrest the abusers,” he said.

Oaminal believes that with the reclassification, supply reduction operation could be effectively undertaken.

He said he is set to meet with PNP Regional Director Ager Ontog and PDEA Regional Director Adrian Alvarino to discuss the conduct of intensive operation to end Nubain proliferation in Central Visayas which has extended to Dumaguete City. (FREEMAN)