Only 160 barangays in CV declared drug-free

CEBU CITY – Only 160 out of 2,446 barangays in Central Visayas had been declared drug-free by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-free Clearance, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) here said.

Emerson Margate PDEA-7 regional director told Manila Bulletin that it is a meticulous process to declare a barangay, city, town or province as drug-free. There are more than 14 parameters, criteria or indicators to consider before the oversight committee can declare a drug-free community.

“It is only the oversight committee at the PDEA that have the authority to declare the drug-free clearance,” Margate added.

According to Margate, a drug-free community means there are no supply of illegal drugs, no drug pushers, users nor addicts. Anti-drug campaign programs are in place and sustained, presence of communitybased rehab/treatment centers, IEC and education awareness programs are institutionalized, there are local ordinances to combat illegal drugs among others.

The organization and functionality of the Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) in local communities is crucial because they are the first line of defense in the ‘war against drugs,’ Margate said.

“It is the ADAC that addresses the demands of prevention, awareness campaigns through education, forums and focused group discussions and rehab at the community-based levels,” the PDEA director added.

Margate said suppressing drug improves crime rate, peace and order and safety. The PDEA and other law enforcement agencies take care of the arrests, buy-bust operations and other bigger issues while the anti-drug councils assist them in information and advocacy against illegal drugs and these are usually organized and must be functional at the barangay level.

Local implementation of the ADAC program is weak, said Margate and most local government units do not consider this as priority and there are no sanctions if the anti-drug council is not organized at the barangay, town, city or province.

The PDEA official added the functionality of the ADACs actually deters illegal drug peddling and it also assists targets and law enforcement and during operations.

Margate told Manila Bulletin it welcomes the idea for all law enforcement agencies to help in the war against illegal drugs because PDEA is a small organization pitting against well-organized, well-syndicated and multi-billion global business operations.