MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has called on big businesses to do its part in the campaign against the proliferation in narcotics use in the country.
“Leave the dangerous part to us (drug law enforcers). We are simply asking them to get involved in the less dangerous but more effective part of the anti-drug campaign” PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago said.
He said big business owners can exercise corporate social responsibility to support anti-drug advocacy efforts by funding such activities as sports, talent contests and other healthy alternatives.
“We are coordinating with other instrumentalists of government and the private sector as well to come up with a more effective approach to the drug problem. Poverty alleviation must be an integral part of the solution and this is one area where big corporations can help the government," he added.
Meanwhile, the PDEA chief said he will be pushing for revisions of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, making first-time drug offenders to merely render community service instead of being incarcerated.
He noted that in many instances, these people come from poor families who got involved in the illegal drug trade for the lack of decent means of livelihood.
“In such cases, perhaps first time offenders can be meted mandatory community service in lieu of jail terms,” he said. - By Dennis Carcamo
