Baguio drug woes rising

BAGUIO CITY — Officials here admitted this week that the drug problem in the city is growing out of proportion even as nine students and out-of-school youths were caught smoking "pot" in Sunshine Park Friday afternoon.

The suspects (real names withheld), six of whom are high school students of the Baguio City National High School are below the legal age of 18.

Senior Insp. Glenn Lonogan, chief of the Baguio City police office drug enforcement section, bared that all suspects were arrested by a group of concerned citizens led by security guard Adriano Moga at around 3 p.m.

Recovered from the group was a marijuana roach or partly burned marijuana joint and small pieces of folded aluminum foil.

All suspects were charged for alleged violation of the new Dangerous Drugs Law. They were temporarily released after signing a promise to appear at the BCPO-DES office at 10 a.m. tomorrow so that they can be escorted to the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council office for counseling.

Meantime, Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, action officer of the Baguio City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) admitted this week during the opening of the planning conference and workshop that the city’s drug abuse problem continues to grow out of proportion.

She said that a police operation, in coordination with the CADAC, caught recently many students in possession of illegal substances like shabu and marijuana. She said some of these students tested positive for drug abuse.

"There are some who were even caught with drugs and condoms indicating that these students mix drug with sex. Imagine what the repercussions will be if this situation continues," Tabanda lamented.

Tabanda said that the CADAC, has endeavored to concentrate on the apprehension aspect of the campaign but should keep track of the prevention and rehabilitation facets.