MAYOR WARNS DRUG TRAFFICKERS ANEW

Davao City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr.  renewed his warnings against drug traffickers Monday saying the City Government would continue to go after them "without let-up."

Speaking during the opening of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, Acharon also told drug pushers and users to cooperate with local authorities if they want "to live longer."

Supt.  Efren Alcuizar, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA ) regional director, said they have been scoring several successes in their effort to stamp out illegal drug trafficking in the city.

This includes the arrest of scores of drug pushers and apprehension of drug dependents.

The PDEA regional office was also instrumental in convincing drug dependents to voluntarily surrender to local village chiefs.

Hundreds of drug users, some of them included in the PDEA watchlist, gave themselves up to barangay officials and police authorities during the yearlong campaign that started last year.

As of last month, only three of the city's 26 barangays have not been declared drug-free.

These are the barangays of Katangawan, Dadiangas East and Labangal.

A source said the number of suspected drug pushers and users in the PDEA watchlist is now about 80 people, a substantial drop from over 300 suspects two years ago.

Last year, several suspected drug pushers and users were gunned down in what police authorities here believed are vigilante-style slayings.

No one has claimed responsibility over the killings, which as of last month, have already victimized over 80 people.

No arrest was also made in connection with these killings.

Alcuizar also added that there has been a decline in the number of apprehensions lately in which he attributed to their intensified drive against illegal drug activities.

Still, PDEA sources said the most common illegal drug substances still in the city are methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, marijuana and ecstasy.

The opening of the drug abuse prevention and control week, held at the Gaisano Dadiangas Food Court, was attended by students from various public and private schools here.

City social welfare chief Rebecca Magante said parents and school authorities play a vital role in the total eradication of drug abuse in the city.

She also warned parents that they could be hailed to court for neglect if proven that they have failed to look after the welfare of their children.