PDEA: Shabu still more prevalent in PH

Pspokesperson HILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Derrick Carreon said there are still more “shabu” users in the Philippines but maintained that drug abusers has the “high tendency” to use other illegal substance available in the market such as cocaine as pronounced by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Carreon said methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” tagged as the poor man’s cocaine was introduced in the Philippines in the mid 80’s to early 90’s.

He said it was supposed to mimic the effect of cocaine being a stimulant, but then as time passed its demand surpasses that of cocaine.

It’s not about mura pero mukhang mas click sa Pilipino ang shabu versus cocaine although there is a market for cocaine but probably it still is minimal as compared to shabu but tama si President, there is possibility na kapag hindi sila (drug users) maka-access ng shabu they use cocaine if it is accessible for them,” Carreon added.

“In terms of the nature of the drug use in the Philippines, drug users in the Philippines are poly drug users meaning if they do not have access to a certain drugs they will use an alternate drug for instance kapag walang shabu pwede silang kumuha ng marijuana or cocaine whichever is accessible to them. That is the nature of drug users in the Philippines so if they cannot buy it is highly probable na kapag may nagalok ng cocaine at kaya naman nila bilhin bibili sila,” he added.

Carreon, however, said PDEA has no demographic data of how much drugs users in the Philippines are into shabu or cocaine.

In his speech before the Visayas mayors in an event held in Cebu City on August 12, Duterte said that drugs carters are bringing in cocaine in the country at a fast pace and that shabu users especially the rich ones are now shifting in the use of such drugs.

"Cocaine is making its headway. They're trying to make it a worldwide crime organization," he said.

"Dito sa Cebu, yung mga mayayaman dito, cocaine na iyan sila. They have graduated (from taking other illegal substances). But most of them may tama na," he added.

Although Carreon admitted that most of the cocaine users are wealthy and can afford, he said that the price range of shabu does not differ that much of cocaine noting that there were instance that shabu is more expensive than cocaine.

He said a gram of shabu ranges from P3,000 to P15,000 depending on where a person transact or but while a gram of cocaine starts from P5,000.

He said shabu and cocaine differs from the materials used for its manufacturing as shabu is more based on chemicals that is synthetic while cocaine is based on coca plant which is a natural ingredient.

Carreon said both are being turned into a powder form and is being sniffed by the end user although shabu sometimes is being heated and its smoke is being snorted by the user.

In terms of effect, he said both shabu and cocaine are stimulants with almost the same effects such as users don’t feel the need to sleep or eat and are on a high.

However, he said they have also recovered the new way of administrating shabu wherein is is being dissolved and turned into a liquid and is being injected through the vein of the user.

Carreon maintained that shabu is still more available in the market as compared to cocaine due to its demand.

However, he said drugs cartels who are trying to bring in cocaine in the country seem to be testing the waters if it will have a market here.

In 2009, the PDEA recovered at least P800 million worth of cocaine in the shoreline of several coastal towns in Eastern Samar.

On April, 28 kilos of high-grade cocaine, 16.5 liters of liquid substance suspectedly used for the production of cocaine and a tracking device were recovered by the fishermen off the waters of Quezon and Camarines Sur.

He, however, said the PDEA could not make any declaration that shabu users had already shifted to cocaine use.

“We cannot make a declaration on that but definitely if the President makes such then he might have some source that reported to him and that is why we have to remain vigilant in all ports of entry smuggling points or routes,” he said.