Impact of narcotics on family made Duterte launch anti-drug campaign: Lapeña

The negative impact of illegal drugs on families and the community is why President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to make the anti-drug campaign the centerpiece of his administration, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Isidro Lapeña has said. (Government of the Philippines) / Facebook)

MANILA—The negative impact of illegal drugs on families and the community is why President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to make the anti-drug campaign the centerpiece of his administration, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Isidro Lapeña has said.

“Stories of victims of (illegal) drugs and its impact on the family, community, and the country as a whole cannot be (downplayed). These stories are the reasons why (the) drug problem is the number one priority program of President Duterte,” he said during the #RealNumbersPH Forum held at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Ave., Quezon City Tuesday.

Lapeña was referring to the victims of heinous crimes perpetrated by drug-crazed individuals who could not distinguish right from wrong when they are high.

He explained that having a user in the family leads to mental anguish and financial burden, along with the fear of crimes that could be committed by the user against a family member.

The drug problem also has a destructive effect on the community, he added.

“If the community is drug-affected, people feel unsafe because of the rampant crimes happening in the community,” Lapeña said.