Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jul 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Leilanie G. Adriano, Northern Luzon Bureau ILOCOS NORTE MAYOR VOWS TO RID TOWN OF DRUG DEALERS BADOC, Ilocos Norte - The reelected mayor of this town has his top priority program in his first 100 days in office the changing of the image of Badoc as a =93haven=94 for drug pushers and users. Mayor Thomas Torralba has ordered the Badoc police as well as officials and members of the Barangay Antidrug Abuse Council (Badac) to become more vigilant and alert in monitoring the transaction of illegal drugs, particularly shabu. The police regional command in the Ilocos, based in the capital city of San Fernando, La Union, reported that Badoc is one of the top five drug-affecte d areas of Ilocos Norte. The others are the capital city of Laoag as well as the towns of San Nicolas, Bacarra and Nueva Era. The report also identified the most drug-affected barangays in Badoc as Poblacion, Napu and Caraitan. In his order, Torralba said he is determined to change the notorious image of Badoc and turn it into a drug-free town. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh