‘GIVE BGY EXECS POWER TO SEEK DETENTION OF DRUG DEPENDENTS’

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has asked the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to include barangay officials among the persons authorized to file petitions for involuntary confinement for rehabilitation of drug dependents.

In a five-page letter dated April 23 sent to Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Secretary Catalino Cuy, IBP National President Burt Estrada pointed out that the proposal is sanctioned by Section 51 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

That provision covers the compulsory confinement of a drug dependent who refuses to apply under the Voluntary Submission Program,.

It allows any person authorized by the Board to file a petition with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) for the confinement of a person alleged to be dependent on dangerous drugs.

But at present, the IBP noted only the City Anti-drug Abuse

Council (CADAC) has been authorized by the DDB to file petitions for involuntary confinement.

There are 146 cities in the country, which means there are only 146 persons authorized to file these petitions, according to the IBP.

The IBP is proposing that aside from the CADAC, there should also be a person authorized to file petitions for involuntary confinement in every Barangay Anti-drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).

If the DDB will approve the proposal, the IBP noted that 42,046 personnel from barangays would be able to assist drug dependents in their respective communities.

The IBP noted that there is a higher chance that BADAC personnel have more personal knowledge about drug dependents in their areas of jurisdiction.

“The measure aims to address the lack of enforcement personnel to police the 1.67 million active Filipino drug users.

More importantly, it will compel many more of those with substance use disorder to seek treatment before they are caught or charged for violations of the punitive provisions

of R.A. No. 9165,” Estrada said.

The proposal, according to Estrada, would also address congestion in the courts.

“As a result, it is hoped that there will be less cases for violations of Sections 4 to 35 of RA 9165, all of which take up so much time and effort to prosecute,” the IBP said.

“Law enforcement personnel will no longer have to wait for a crime to be committed in their presence before action can be undertaken. People with the disease of addiction can already receive help preventively, simply by fully utilizing Section 61 of RA 9165,” it added.