Advocates propose alternatives to PH drug problem as war on drugs ‘doomed to fail’
Increased rehabilitation centers, more chances of livelihood, and decriminalization of drugs in the country were proposed to end the Philippine war on illegal drugs and stop the rampant extrajudicial killings in the country.
Thomasian political science professor Marielle Marcaida said the war on drugs is “doomed to fail” as there had been no violent drug war in other countries that has succeeded ever since the term was coined in 1971.
“What people fail to see is that the country’s drug problem is also a public health concern,” Marcaida said in a forum last Nov. 23.
To solve the country’s drug problem, Marcaida cited other countries which employed “Harm Reduction,” a series of programs, services and policies that redirect a person to more recreational activities rather than jailing them for using drugs.
“If you can’t solve the problem, you address the demand,” she said. Michael Beltran of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) said the country’s drug problem should be addressed as a “socioeconomic problem”.
Beltran said poor communities are the first to be affected by the drug war because they are not presented much opportunities to have a better life. The KADAMAY delegate labelled the drug economy in the country as a “market of cheap labor” wherein unemployed Filipinos are enticed to join rather than continue being unemployed.
With the increasing surrenders of drug users and pushers, Beltran called for the establishment of more rehabilitation centers in barangays to accommodate and educate the users.
“Matindi nga naman ang problema ng Pilipinas sa droga ngunit ibang usapin naman ang pamamaslang,” said Beltran.
Fr. Delfo C. Caneran O.P from the Ecclesiastical Faculty argued that the victims of extrajudicial killings were denied of forgiveness and chances to improve themselves. ###
