LAWAS ADMITS FAILURE OF DRIVE VS. DRUGS

Dumaguete City police director C/Insp. Rey Lyndon Lawas admitted yesterday
that the operation against the proliferation of illegal drugs has failed,
despite the PNP's joint efforts with the local government unit and
non-government organizations in combating the menace.

At the same time, Lawas said he welcomed the approval of the new
Comprehensive Anti-illegal Drug Law, that is now up for signing by
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Lawas said he is optimistic that with the new law, the trafficking of
illegal drugs in Dumaguete City will be minimized since suspects caught
even with less than 50 grams of the banned substance will not be allowed
bail and could face either life or a death sentence.

He said that 25 out of the city's 30 barangays are affected by illegal
drugs based on reports of the different Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

The same reports said 258 illegal drug users and pushers normally go back
to the streets after their detention because of legal loopholes. Lawas
lamented that, despite the serious anti-drug campaign, 90 percent of those
apprehended resume their trade following their release as a result of
technicalities.

He said the city's anti-illegal drugs campaign failed because of what he
describes as the "toothless anti-illegal drugs law".