From authoritarian states to liberal societies and advanced economies, drug abuse is a problem. The demand for substances that alter mind and mood has been around for centuries, along with those who feed the demand.
The best that governments can aim for is to significantly curb both supply and demand and prevent the drug menace from fueling corruption, dirty politics and a culture of violence.
President Duterte need not worry too much about being taken to task for failing to deliver on his campaign promise of stopping the drug menace and criminality within three to six months of assuming power. Even the man he considers as the most “brilliant” Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos, failed to stop the menace, with all the extraordinary, absolute powers the dictator enjoyed, and despite the execution of a heroin trafficker in the early days of martial rule.
What President Duterte can do with six more months of a relentless war on drugs is to institutionalize a tough response to the menace. This means zeroing in on the traffickers, with special focus on those in government as well as dealers of party drugs whose main clients are youths.
Institutionalizing the war on drugs also means fighting the menace on other fronts, to ensure that no one gets to enjoy drug profits. The President must urge his congressional allies to pass laws against racketeering, with special focus on drug trafficking, illegal gambling, smuggling and human trafficking.
The drug war must be closely coordinated with the money-laundering police, monetary authorities and revenue agencies so that all assets derived from the illegal trade are confiscated by the state. Drug dealers and their relatives must not be allowed to enjoy illegally amassed wealth.
And while the judiciary is an independent branch of government, it is possible for the executive to coordinate with those in charge of the administration of justice so that adjudication of drug-related cases including killings can be expedited.
Suppliers feed the demand, and drug abuse is a social problem. More rehabilitation centers must be built for those hooked on drugs. Whether the President needs six more months or six years, the admonition still rings true, to save the user and jail the pusher.
Vigilante killings must stop, and those that have been perpetrated must be investigated and justice rendered. Such killings taint legitimate anti-drug operations by law enforcers, eroding the credibility of any war on drugs.