COPS STEP UP DRIVE VS. DRUGS IN SCHOOLS

The Bacolod police has monitored the proliferation of marijuana near
school compounds in Bacolod City, city police director Senior Supt.
Pedro Merced said yesterday.

Merced said they are intensifying their campaign against illegal
drugs in school campuses and areas around them as classes opened this month.

Last week, Merced said the Bacolod police recovered 80 pieces of
suspected marijuana sticks from Joel Calatrava, 18, of Purok A.C.
Yulo, Brgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City, and a small sachet containing
suspected dried marijuana and two pieces of rolling paper.

On Sunday, three persons were arrested for allegedly possessing an
undetermined amount of suspected marijuana in Purok Bulak, Brgy.
Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Police Precinct 3 reports said.

The recovery of dried marijuana indicates a decrease in the shabu
supply in the market, Merced said, adding, that shabu-users may have
diverted to marijuana because it is cheaper.

He also said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Board had included
ketamine and epidrine among the illegal drugs and the police can
arrest anyone caught in the act of using these drugs and file charges
against them.