The nation’s drug dilemma

THE latest news that 21 drug suspects have been killed in one day in Bulacan seems to reveal the rampant and widespread sway and control of illegal drugs in the country.

This is actually a wake-up call for everyone that even if this nation has not yet been transformed into a so called “narco state” the pervasiveness and extent of influence of illegal drugs particularly “shabu” in all levels and strata of our society is already at an all-time high.

Because the sale of shabu is such a lucrative undertaking it would seem that so many of our countrymen, contrasted especially between those living below the poverty line and those very affluent and in power, are bent on indulging themselves in the business of selling this illegal drug notwithstanding the determined campaign of the government against drugs. For those very destitute and devoid of any opportunity for gainful employment while carrying the burden of feeding a family the sale of shabu is probably a means to extend their day to day survival. On the other hand those who are already rich and who holds positions of power either in the private sector or in the government the sale of shabu is simply a means of perpetuating their wealth and influence, it does not matter whether thousands of lives will be adversely affected by their pernicious and illegal activity.

This is the dilemma that is facing the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte even as severe measures have already been implemented such as the occasion of violent confrontations between drug users and pushers against government agents that more often than not lead to the deaths of the former. In fact nowadays this has become the “normal” way thru which most of the transactions of illegal drugs have been concluded.

Fear, intimidation and even death (if there is allegedly armed resistance) seem to be the tools through which the war on drugs has been implemented, and apparently still being done despite some opposition and protests.

But that is not the problem. The problem that confronts the government is that despite everything that it has done the illegal drug “shabu” continues to flood the country and because of such a ready and available supply the temptation will always be there for the poor man in the street and the rich man in his mansion to partake of such illegal activity.

It is already a given that most of the supply of shabu comes from outside of the country such as in China. Extra effort must therefore be undertaken by the government to prevent and ultimately stop shabu from being transported into this country. Perhaps the government should take a long hard look into how it can strengthen its border and maritime security thru coordinated efforts between neighbouring countries as well as massive acquisition of suitable naval equipment and facilities and the training of additional personnel to patrol and secure the country’s borders.

Only when the supply of shabu is drastically reduced will we see a gradual change from those still mired in the quagmire of illegal drugs.