The drug war and the protests

THE truth is: Who would not complain about loss of lives of kin on drugs or activities related to these? Who would not be hurt if loved ones who are involved find their last days on earth through “buy-bust operations” and “riding-in-tandem characters” posing as drug warriors? Who would not suffer at the thought that small time drug users who are also part of the lower classes are killed most frequently but the big drug lords themselves get away free?

Another truth is: Who would not recoil at the crimes committed by those under the influence of drugs? Who would not be angered to infinity seeing their loved ones molested and killed by drug users who have lost all control? Who would not have a broken heart seeing sons and daughters destroying themselves and their own families because of drugs?

One more truth is: Drugs when taken outside their limit, changes the brain and its contours. One medical scientist said that addiction changes the brain that changes in turn, the personalities and the character of people. Emotions are difficult to control, sensitivity becomes more vulnerable that’s why anger and irritation felt by those under the influence of drugs can many times be unreasonable and illogical...therefore crimes or violence of any sort follows.

People go on protest for the killings done by government agencies. The rallies and the endless sermons in churches and in groups as well as in different media flood public communication and information. The protests will no doubt continue and it will be endless, which brings another truth.

That truth is: Protests and rallies will not do much but give a bad image not only of the government but believe me, of the protesters themselves! Killings show the face of oppression yet, protests and rallies too, are forms of oppression that try to twist the arm of the powers that are, to solve or stop, what is being protested against.

Why do protesters continue without providing solutions to the problem?

This makes many people believe that the protests are mere propaganda to destroy the government and to vandalize the names of the perpetrators. Is there sincerity in these protests? These are empty and without meaning if no solution is provided to positively change the situation without intimidation from either party. These are empty shouts and meaningless noises heard from people who want to complain but will not lift a finger to design a solution and to work hand in hand with the government in eradicating this social catastrophe.

Some think a solution is to remove the leader perpetuating the drug killings. Right? Sorry, sad to say, that’s intensely wrong. An elected leader remains to have been voted by the majority of the nation. To go against that, is to fight the voting majority many of whom are silent.

To think that change will come after, is historically wrong. How many leaders have been changed only to beget a worse one Or worse consequences... then the line goes longer. Go over our own Philippine history.

Work hand in hand with the government in peaceful understanding: Why not? The churches and so many organizations work together to condemn and to intimidate through protests. Why don’t we all, come together to help solve this problem? We cannot eradicate drugs from our side by protests and noisy rallies that truthfully inflict damages too, not only to the administration but to many of our countrymen who believe otherwise. Are we truly sincere with our protests or are we simply making noise because we have political motives?

Think what powers we all have to solve a problem as straight to the eye as this. Many blame the government but what can we do to help?

Another suggestion for a solution is: The big organizations, the churches, the NGOs, should work together with the public to take charge of those who have admitted their addiction. The government cannot be a mother to all. But since the protesters are so many, is it not better to be the source of peace and the instrument to stop the drug killings?

The big churches: the Catholics, the Protestants, the Anglicans, various religious and educational institutions and sects should break down their funds for charity and include in these charities the rehabilitation of the drug inflicted individuals.

Hard work, yes, but being a religious or educational institution with your own hospital and medical personnel can make a powerful voice not only intense but you can help our country men and our government. What use are your medical facilities and empty charity basements or social halls if they cannot be put to good use and for our countrymen at that? What good is education if you simply teach what is to be done, but don’t do the educating yourself by means of action?

Instead of condemning and protesting, work with government to take away the unwanted from society and help rehabilitate them! Save these individuals who are sick , who do not want to be criminals but they become such because they find no solution to their addiction and society still has to learn to really accept that these people are menaces but they still need care and responsibility and love from others. There have been several schools who took the first steps towards this solution.

I salute them!! This has been my call for so many years and I repeat them now. To all schools, universities, colleges, institutions for charity, please help rehabilitate our people in this piteous condition and we can stop the killings.— Evangeline Murillo