Abalos bucks decriminalization of drug use

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday opposed the proposal of two senators to decriminalize drug use, saying it would not help the government in its ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. “Let’s do away with [the proposal]. Let’s be clear on our stand. If illegal drugs are prohibited, then all of them should be prohibited. We will just catch all of the drug users and pushers,” Abalos said. He also warned that drug personalities might circumvent the law using “technicalities,” and just distribute illegal drugs in smaller quantities to get away with it. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s Senate Bill No. 202 has proposed to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs to decongest jails and address the problem of drug addiction as a health issue. This was backed by fellow Senator Robin Padilla. —Dexter Cabalza