MAILBOX SNITCHERS ON PUSHERS MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO CURB DRUG ABUSE

ALL Caloocan City barangays will have their own mailboxes where they could
drop letters to identify drug addicts and traffickers in their community,
once a resolution filed would get the nod of the city council.

This innovative approach to fighting drug abuse was contained in a
resolution filed by Councilor Benjamin Manlapig.

He said the installation of mailboxes where residents could drop the list
of suspected drug users and pushers in their barangay will help boost the
city' s campaign against illegal drugs.

He said this strategy is in line with the anti-drug drive of the national
government dubbed as "Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga." This is a 24-hour hotline
of the National Preventive and Enforcement Coordination Council where the
public could report drug trafficking.

"One of the obstacles in the effective campaign against this menace (drugs)
is the failure of government to provide safety and security to citizens who
are reporting drug pusher and user activities being afraid of reprisal,"
Manlapig said.

The councilor added there is a need to give the necessary security for the
concerned residents, who risk their lives just to report illegal drug
activities in their area, so that they would still continue helping the
authorities.

One of the means is the installation of mailboxes in every barangay hall
where the residents could drop letters pinpointing drug users and
traffickers operating in their community.

Manlapig explained the mail matters would then be forwarded to the Caloocan
City Police Drug Enforcement Unit for analysis, evaluation and validation.

After the confirmation, Manlapig said the authorities would take the
necessary action, including conducting surveillance operations in the area
and persons believed to be using or selling illegal drugs."