ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUG DRIVE GETS BOOST; GLO INKS NEW LAW

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday signed into law Republic Act
9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 that gives more teeth
to the government's drive against illegal drug trade and addiction.

In approving RA 9165, the President repealed the Dangerous Drugs Act of
1972 or RA 6425.

Cebu City Reps. Antonio Cuenco and Raul del Mar, Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz
(Cebu, 6th district) were among the Cebu lawmakers who attended the signing
at MalacaA ang.

Cuenco, one of the principal authors, warned drug traffickers to put an end
to the illegal drug trade. The new law will take effect next month after it
shall have been published in newspapers of general circulation.

It provides stiffer penalties for illegal drug possession and pushing. It
imposes capital punishment on those convicted for selling, trading,
trafficking, importing and cultivating dangerous drugs and their controlled
precursors.

The same penalty is also imposed on those who possessed 50 grams or more of
shabu, 500 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of opium, morphine, heroin,
cocaine, ecstasy and other dangerous drugs as listed in the annex of the law.

It also provides life imprisonment for the possession of lesser quantities
of the same drugs listed above.

But persons found guilty of possessing less than five grams of the drugs
listed in the annex would be meted a 12-year prison term.

Stiff penalties are also been imposed on convicted dangerous drug
financiers, protectors, coddlers and traders who use cellular phones and
the Internet in making illegal deals.

The new law seeks the speedy destruction of seized dangerous drugs as it
provides punishment for policemen and prosecutors who delay or bungle drug
cases.

To protect the people from the bad effects of dangerous drugs, the new law
provides mandatory drug tests for drivers and firearms holders, random drug
tests for students and workers in the government and private sectors, and
compulsory education on dangerous drugs in all school levels.

RA 9165 also gives Congress oversight functions over drug cases, while
providing funds to fully implement the law. An initial P25 million has been
appropriated for various activities.