Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Yul Malicse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

MALE ADDICTS OUTNUMBER FEMALE DRUG ABUSERS

- - Shabu continues to be drug of choice although ketamine is gaining
popularity for its "kick." - Five transnational and 123 local drug
syndicates are now operating in the Philippines.

There are more male than female users of prohibited drugs in the
country, with the men outnumbering the women by nine to one.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu continues to be drug of choice
although ketamine or "Super K" is gaining popularity for its "kick."

Five transnational and 123 local drugs syndicates are now operating in
the Philippines.

These were some of the significant revelations made by various law
enforcement agencies involved in the war against illegal drugs during
the first Anti-Illegal Drug Summit held at the Hotel InterContinental
Manila in Makati City.

The drug summit was sponsored and hosted by the Metro Manila Anti-Drug
Abuse Councils (AMMADACs) chaired by Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto S.
Mercado.

The summit obtained reports on the war against drugs from the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

During the summit, Undersecretary Anselmo S. Avenido Jr., PDEA
director general; DDB Executive Director Dionisio Santiago and PNP
Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) head, Deputy
Director General Ricardo F. de Leon, who is also PNP deputy chief for
administration, presented the government's nationwide efforts in
combating the growing menace of illegal drugs.

Attending the summit were the mayors and other top officials of
Metropolitan Manila's 17 city and towns, local government officials
from Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan, and representatives from
non-government organizations and other anti-drug abuse groups.

Also present were Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo T.
Reyes and PNP chief Director General Arturo C. Lomibao.

The PDEA, PNP and DDB said that the ratio of male users to females is
9:1, with the majority of the addicts in the 20-29 age group.

Shabu is the most popular drug, being used by 84 percent of patients
in various rehabilitaion centers.

The agencies also said that a significant number of patients were
reported using glue and cough and cold preparations sold over the counter.

Undersecretary Avenido, in presenting the drug situation in the
country, said that although shabu is manufactured in the Philippines
it continues to be smuggled into the country through four major
avenues: The seaports, international airports, the mail and parcel
services, and the vast expanse of the Philippine coastlines.

"Shabu from source countries in Asia are smuggled into the country
mainly through the shorelines of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon and
Southern Luzon, specifically the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan Valley,
Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro and
Occidental Mindoro."

Avenido added that "reports also indicate that the provinces of
Palawan, Masbate, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Davao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi
are probable landing sites for shabu smuggling."

In their order, the following prohibited drugs are most commonly
pushed and used: shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy. Some confiscations of
cocaine were also reported.

Of late, Ketamine is starting to take off. The latest Ketamine seizure
worth P37 million was made in Quezon City.

According to Avenido, a survey conducted by the DDB in 1999 showed
there were around 1.8 million regular and 1.6 million occasional users
of dangerous drugs in the country.

A new survey on the prevalence of drug abuse in the country has been
conducted by the DDB and is set to be released this year.

Last year, the country's rehabilitation centers reported 5,500
admissions of drug abusers, reflecting a decrease of 32 percent
compared with the 7,113 admissions in 2003.

Also last year, a total of 56 foreign nationals were arrested, from
whom some P5 billion worth of illegal drugs, precursors (ingredients
in the manufacture) and shabu-making chemicals were seized, and
several clandestine laboratories dismantled.

As of last month, Avenido said 11 foreign nationals have been
arrested, from whom, 210.09 grams of shabu were confiscated.

To date, the Philippine law enforcement community has identified five
transnational and 123 local groups operating in the country.
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