Marcos promises to curb drug dependency among drug users

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his second State of the Nation Address (Photo from RTVM)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has committed to fight the spread of illegal drugs.

He plans to solve this plague through community-based treatments, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration.

These moves are meant “to curb drug dependence” among users of narcotics.

The Chief Executive expressed his intentions during his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

According to Marcos, national government has already made progress with the launch of the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ or ‘BIDA’ program of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

He said this undertaking has been established in 102 reformation centers nationwide.

During the same speech, the President talked about how he intends to combat the proliferation of illegal substances.

“We will relentlessly continue our fight against drug syndicates, shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations,” he said.

In line with this goal, chief executive also mentioned his intent to remove from the police organization officers who have been involved in controversies and crimes.

He specifically pointed to 50 police personnel who were previously charged for involvement in the questionable P6.7 billion ‘shabu’ haul in October last year.

This operation led to the confiscation of 990 kilos of illegal drugs.

“Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations,” the chief executive said.

“In their stead, we will install individuals with unquestionable integrity, who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating this dreaded and corrosive social curse,” he said.

“We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government,” he added.

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