Editorial: Illegal drugs a community concern

DESPITE the continuing Oplan Tokhang (knock and plead) conducted by the Davao City Police Office, which even include a barangay in Davao del Sur that is identified as one of the sources of illegal drugs in Davao City, a couple was arrested with a stash estimated to cost P1-million.

They’re do not even in the sums, as most places visited by Oplan Tokhang are, but are in a middle-class neighborhood with the woman being a fire officer.

Monsour Kalipa Usama, 32, a trader, and wife Ednilyn Lumongsod Solis, 27, the fire officer, residents of St. Micheal Village in Maa were arrested in a buy-bust operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and San Pedro Police in Bangkerohan last Tuesday.

Aside from the P1-million worth of suspected shabu, P50,000 marked money was also seized from the couple.

This is proof positive that in the illegal drugs trade, fear nor shame doesn’t play a big role. In such instances, what is required is the cooperation of the whole community and not just the policemen who go knock-knocking on suspect’s doors.

First, there are the children to set a-right; to keep busy, and to keep track of so as to ensure that they do not fall on the bad side. Then there are the activities in one’s communities that need to be closely monitored, the unusual ones to be brought up to trusted officials.

We understand, however, why a community would rather remain silent; this is so because the illegal drugs world is not just devoid of fear nor shame, it is also devoid mercy. It will spare no one who gets in the way. That is the very reason why this should be taken on as a community who will work as one to oust the evils that prey on their children, the youth, and those who have become addicted.

It is sill best for families with members who are addicted to illegal drugs no send them to rehabilitation.

There will be no other future waiting for them but of greater strife if families will refuse to recognize the problem or simply give up on their member. Users need help, whether they like it or not, or whether their families will admit it or not. Families and community members should work as one to find a solution to a users’ problem, bring in the cops and drag the user off to rehab if needed, before he graduates to become the criminal that many users have already become.