Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: AFP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

ILLEGAL DRUGS HOOK YUPPIES

ILLEGAL drug use in the country jumped by more than two-thirds over
the past five years with young urban workers increasingly using
amphetamines and marijuana, the government said Friday.

The survey of households in 2004 found there were 6.7-million
illegal-drug users in the country, about two million of whom were
either young professionals or minimum-wage earners, the Department of
Labor said at a conference on drug use.

Labor Undersecretary Manuel Imson said this was an alarming increase
from earlier studies which found there were 1.7-million drug abusers
in 1996, rising to four million in 1999.

"The average age of a Filipino drug abuser is 25 years old, employed,
lives in urban areas and has an average monthly income of P4,726
[$86]," the study said.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as "ice" or "shabu,"
was the most widely abused drug, followed by marijuana, the department
added.

Imson warned that with more employed people engaging in drug abuse,
there was increased danger at the workplace.  He urged employers to
take steps to wipe out drug use among workers. 
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