TO CONSOLIDATE efforts of Metro Cebu cities in the war against drugs and to facilitate a plea bargain for arrested drug suspects, the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap) is initiating the Metro Cebu Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Newly installed Cosap head Jonah John Rodriguez said the initiative would consolidate the different anti-drug programs and projects of Metro Cebu cities.

“There are also persons deprived of liberty who entered into a plea bargain who are, for example, from Naga City or Mandaue City. However, they do not have programs there that the Cosap has. I think it’s very important to create such to facilitate consolidation of the plans for these people,” he said in a forum on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

Rodriguez proposed to involve the cities of Cebu, Lapu Lapu, Talisay and Mandaue in the council as pilot areas.

Lawyer Clarence Paul Oaminal, former vice chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and one of the proponents of the project, said having a Metro Cebu Anti-Drug Abuse Council would also address the disadvantages posed by “institution-based” anti-drug abuse programs.

“We have to create it because the cities should join hands to fight the proliferation of illegal drugs. If all the resources of these cities will be used in the campaign against drugs, we can surely win,” he said.

Rodriguez said they have yet to thoroughly plan the initiative. But with the cooperation of the respective councils of the priority cities, it’s possible the council would be created before the end of 2019. (WBS)