Duterte creates Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy

AMID the government’s relentless drive against illegal drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte has institutionalized the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (Pads).

Duterte signed on October 29 Executive Order (EO) 66, directing all government offices, department bureaus, agencies, and offices, including governmentowned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), to implement the Pads, in accordance with their respective mandates.

EO 66 also encouraged non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and private institutions to actively support the projects and programs under the Pads.

“The proliferation of prohibited drugs and their precursors is a serious national concern, encompassing social, economic, psychological and economic interests, which necessitates the active and unified involvement of various government and nongovernment agencies,” EO 66 said.

“To ensure the successful implementation of the Pads and to demonstrate our country’s resolve in confronting the issue on illegal drugs, it is necessary to ensure that government and non-government entities carry out their respective functions and tasks under the Pads,” it added.

Duterte, through the EO, tasked the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to the lead agency in the Pads’s implementation.

All government departments and agencies, including GOCCs and SUCs, were directed to formulate and submit to the DDB their respective implementing and operational plans relative to the Pads, within 60 days from the implementation of EO 66.

They were also required to formulate and adopt drug-free workplace programs, and conduct authorized drug testing among their respective officials and personnel, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and relevant issuances and circulars of the DDB and the Civil Service Commission.

The Department of Labor and Employment, on the other hand, was instructed to ensure the formulation and implementation of drug-free workplace programs and authorized drug testing in the private sector.

EO 66 also urged local government units (LGUs) to formulate and submit their own implementation and operation plans to the DDB and establish or strengthen their Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

LGUs were also asked to work in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police in implementing the Pads, as well as to coordinate with the Department of Health relative to the assessment of drug personalities. (SunStar Philippines)