DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL WEEK

OUR government is aware of our country's illegal drug problem.
Congress has passed several anti-drugs measures, notably Republic Act
6425 (the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972) and Republic Act 9165 (the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

The government has also launched mass-based anti-drug programs,
notably "Kill Droga" (Kilos Laya Laban sa Droga), Operation "Private
Eye," and a National Anti-Drug Program of Action (NADPA). Our drug law
enforcers have conducted continuous surveillance operations against
drug lords and their cohorts in plush villages, campuses, offices,
malls, and other public places and achieved eminent results.

Presidential Proclamation No. 335 has declared November 14-20 as Drug
Abuse Prevention and Control Week to promote public awareness against
the evil effects of illegal drug use as well as public cooperation in
the government's anti-drug campaign.

There were only 20,000 illegal drug users in our country in 1972.
Today, according to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), there are about
four million "regular" and "occasional" drug users among our people.

Seventy percent of the heinous crimes committed today are
drug-related. DDB also reported that 14 percent of our country's
42,979 barangay are drug-infested. Some 1.5 million Filipino youth
have been confirmed to be drugusers. One and a half million Filipino
youth drug-users means one and a half million lives already destroyed.

Illegal drug use is multifaceted problem that menaces the peace and
future of our country and people. Overcoming this threat to the
well-being of our people requires a multisectoral approach by
government and religious authorities, socio-civic groups, schools,
barangay officials, and parents.

Our children - our country's future - should be our top priority.
Fighting illegal drugs means securing the future of our children and
that of our country.