PDEA must implement stronger drug demand reduction program

He said the government should not only focus on reducing the drug supply, but also take steps to reduce the demand for drugs through preventive education and rehabilitation program. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday urged the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to pursue a “stronger, more serious” demand reduction program to curb illicit drug use.

Sotto made the remark following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s admission that the illegal drug trade in the country has worsened amid the administration’s intensified campaign against it.

He said the government should not only focus on reducing the drug supply, but also take steps to reduce the demand for drugs through preventive education and rehabilitation program.

“Aside from continuing (the) relentless battle on enforcement and prosecution, (the) government through PDEA should pursue a stronger, more serious preventive education and rehabilitation program. Otherwise, there will be more addicts, therefore more pushers. It’s the law of supply and demand,” Sotto said in a text message.

“If we want to win the fight against illegal drugs, (the) government through PDEA must pursue a stronger, more serious demand reduction strategy program. Otherwise, enforcement will be for naught,” he added.

During his speech at a campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Cagayan de Oro City over the weekend, Duterte admitted that the drug situation in the country has “worsened”, stressing the difficulty of guarding the shorelines, through which illegal drugs could be smuggled.

“But if you tinker with drugs and if you continue to feed our children with drugs and trafficking… Things have worsened. My policemen are at the brink of surrendering,” Duterte said.

“Actually, there are other billions coming in. The Philippines is contiguous, island for island. There are 7,000 islands. Just choose where you want to land. It’s different from America, which is just one stretch of border,” he added.