Illegal drug activities are on a decline in Davao del Norte owing to the increased participation of the communities in the intensified campaign of the government to eradicate the social menace.

“There is a downfall of drugs in Davao del Norte,” Agent Clodito V. Cañada of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said during the meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council last Tuesday, August 30 held at VIP Club, Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, Tagum City.

Cañada said there is no known drug laboratories in the province of Davao del Norte, usually it’s just trading and distribution. The supplies are coming from different regions and provinces, he added.

“Last year ang top three (3) na ginakuhaan og drug supply in the province is Sitio Mabuhay in Asuncion, Madaum, and Sto Tomas. In the next six months this could change depending on the outcome of the actions of the government [Last year, the top three (3) sources of drugs in the province are Sitio Mabuhay in Asuncion, Madaum and Sto. Tomas. In the next six (6) months, this could change depending on the outcome of the actions of the government].” Agent Cañada said.

Though the reported areas are not considered for big-time drug operations, it is still important to remove any opportunity for drug trade.

“We are constantly monitoring areas, while conducting operations,” Police Provincial Director PSSupt. Ferdinand Sifuentes said.

To eliminate the danger that illicit drugs brings to the community, specially the youth, PDEA recommended for the continuous conduct of street level anti-drug operations.

Cañada revealed that the youngest among the apprehended drug users in the province was only nine (9) years old. “Sa Tagum, (the youngest) is 9-years old …. I personally talked to the boy, ang ginagamit niya is volatile substances like rugby, contact cement, vulca seal and then turned to marijuana [In Tagum, (the youngest) is 9-years old... I personally talked to the boy, and he is using volatile substances like rugby, contact cement, vulca seal and then turned to marijuana],” Cañada said.

With this information, Governor Anthony del Rosario reiterated that cities and municipalities should implement curfews for minors to keep them away from influences that might cause them danger.

He also asked the education sectors to intensify the implementation of their advocacy and programs directed to the education of the youth on drugs.

PDEA strongly suggested the establishment of Rehabilitation Centers per City or Province with the support of LGUs and for Surrenderees to be referred to the Department of Health (DOH) for intervention Program.

Taking its cue from the PDEA recommendation, the province is launching the Task Force AGR or Aksyon, Gamutan, Rehabilitasyon (Action, Treatment, Rehabilitation) to provide assistance to thousands of drug surrenderees in the province.