Drug use down in Philippines, Remulla tells United Nations body

MANILA, Philippines — The number of drug users in the Philippines dropped to 1.47 million in 2023 from 1.67 million in 2019, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reported during the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN CND) in Austria on Monday.

“The results of all these efforts are encouraging,” Remulla said in a statement.

Remulla is in Vienna for the UN CND session, which runs from March 10 to 14, where he reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international cooperation in addressing substance abuse and drug trafficking.

“As the Philippines celebrates its 80 years of partnership with the UN as one of its founding members, we reiterate our commitment to multilateralism and the UN as the most vital platform for international cooperation to tackle our common challenges, including the world drug problem,” he said.

Among those present at the gathering were Shambhu Kumaran, permanent representative of India to the UN and UN CND chairperson, and Ghada Waly, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

During the UN CND, the Department of Justice chief also highlighted the human rights-based and public health-centered approach adopted by the Philippines in tackling the drug problem under the Marcos administration.

He emphasized that prevention, education and a comprehensive rehabilitation program for drug-dependent individuals are key components of the government’s strategy, which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the Bagong Pilipinas government.

Currently, the government is conducting an executive review of national drug policies while implementing a whole-of-nation approach that integrates law enforcement, socio-economic initiatives and health interventions – all aimed at providing an effective and unified response to the country’s drug challenges for the benefit of future generations.