PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN NARCOTICS CONTROL: PHILIPPINE WAYS AND EXPERIENCES

Presented by:Undersecretary Romeo G. Vera Cruz

Vice Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board

National Anti-Drug Strategy

Supply Reduction

Demand Reduction

Civic Awareness

Alternative Development

International Cooperation

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)

- lead agency in the national drug abuse prevention and control program

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - lead law enforcement agency

Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP AIDSOTF)

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

Bureau of Customs (BOC)

The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

defines drug offenses and provides penalties

drug abuse prevention programs

treatment and rehabilitation

participation of certain sectors

regulation-making power of the DDB

Preventing Use of Illicit Drugs

Family - Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program

Schools - Prevention and Deterrence - Referral for Treatment and Rehabilitation - Integration of Instruction on drug abuse

prevention and control - National Drug Education Program

Workplaces - Drug-Free Workplace Program

DDB Speakers’ Bureau - Youth/Community leaders

Trafficking and Production of Illicit Drugs

“Operation Private Eye” - citizenry serves as eyes and ears - reward system for informers

Civil Society Groups as Witnesses - prevent pilferage of drug evidence - destruction in accordance with law

Village Clearing Program - organization of house clusters - drug information

Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation

State policy to reintegrate into society victims of drug abuse

43 out of 56 Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers are privately owned

Referral System

Student Councils/Organizations

Workplaces

Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils

Alternative Development

Reduce and eliminate Marijuana cultivation

Active participation of the community

National Plan of Action on the Eradication of Marijuana Plantation through Alternative Development

Activities under the Alternative Development Program

Redirect marijuana producing areas Infrastructure and socio-economic programs Community awareness and advocacy Direct involvement and participation of

farmer organizations, cooperatives, NGOs and community organizations

Active support and cooperation of government agencies Monitor and evaluate

Other Means and Practices

Public participation in the reclassification, addition and removal of a drug/substance in the List of Dangerous Drugs

Notice of public hearing

Position papers

Conclusion

Public participation in narcotics control is crucial. The war against drugs cannot be won by government alone. It requires the cooperation and active participation of the public at large. No anti-drug abuse prevention and control program, no matter how impressive in concept, can be effective without public participation. For this reason, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has always enlisted the support and participation of the public sector in the formulation and implementation of its policies and programs.

Thank You for your Attention