PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN NARCOTICS CONTROL:
PHILIPPINE WAYS AND EXPERIENCES
Presented by:
Undersecretary Romeo G. Vera Cruz
Vice Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board
National Anti-Drug Strategy
 Supply Reduction
 Demand Reduction
 Civic Awareness
 Alternative Development
 International Cooperation
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
- lead agency in the national drug abuse
prevention and control program
 Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
- lead law enforcement agency
 Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs
Special Operations Task Force (PNP
AIDSOTF)
 National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
 Bureau of Customs (BOC)
The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
 defines drug offenses and provides penalties
 drug abuse prevention programs
 treatment and rehabilitation
 participation of certain sectors
 regulation-making power of the DDB
Preventing Use of Illicit Drugs
 Family
- Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program
 Schools
- Prevention and Deterrence
- Referral for Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Integration of Instruction on drug abuse
prevention and control
- National Drug Education Program
 Workplaces
- Drug-Free Workplace Program
 DDB Speakers’ Bureau
- Youth/Community leaders
Trafficking and Production of Illicit Drugs
 “Operation Private Eye”
- citizenry serves as eyes and ears
- reward system for informers
 Civil Society Groups as Witnesses
- prevent pilferage of drug evidence
- destruction in accordance with law
 Village Clearing Program
- organization of house clusters
- drug information
Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation
 State policy to reintegrate into society
victims of drug abuse
 43 out of 56 Treatment and Rehabilitation
Centers are privately owned
Referral System
 Student Councils/Organizations
 Workplaces
 Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils
Alternative Development
 Reduce and eliminate Marijuana cultivation
 Active participation of the community
 National Plan of Action on the Eradication of
Marijuana Plantation through Alternative
Development
Activities under the Alternative Development
Program
 Redirect marijuana producing areas
 Infrastructure and socio-economic
programs
 Community awareness and advocacy
 Direct involvement and participation of
farmer organizations, cooperatives,
NGOs and community organizations
 Active support and cooperation of
government agencies
 Monitor and evaluate
Other Means and Practices
 Public participation in the reclassification,
addition and removal of a drug/substance
in the List of Dangerous Drugs
 Notice of public hearing
 Position papers
Conclusion
Public participation in narcotics control is crucial. The war
against drugs cannot be won by government alone. It requires the
cooperation and active participation of the public at large. No antidrug abuse prevention and control program, no matter how
impressive in concept, can be effective without public participation.
For this reason, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has always
enlisted the support and participation of the public sector in the
formulation and implementation of its policies and programs.
Thank You for your Attention