DEVCON

AN OVERVIEW
No community in our country is said to be free on the problems on illicit drug use.
Despite years of drug suppression efforts by all levels of government and by numerous
anti-drug organizations, the cycle of drug use continues. In answer to the globally
challenging problem of the illicit trafficking and proliferation of dangerous drugs and to
strengthen the anti-drug abuse program of the government, Republic Act 9165,
otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was passed,
which in July 4, 2002, effectively repealed and replaced the existing drug law, R.A.
6425, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.
With the end in view of pursuing a more intensive and sustained campaign against the
trafficking of dangerous drugs, R.A. 9165 reconstituted and revitalized the Dangerous
Board (DDB) which already existed under R.A. 6425, and vested it with increased
powers and duties to pursue its mandate as the policy making and strategy planning
body in the drafting and formulation of policies and programs on drug abuse prevention
and control. Entrenched in this drug law, however, are provisions aiming at achieving a
balance in the national drug control program so that the people with legitimate needs
are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of required medications
which may include the use of dangerous drugs.

Unfortunately, no community in the Philippines can escape the problems surrounding

illicit drugs

VICE, DEFINED
Vice may be defined as any immoral conduct or habit, the indulgence of which leads to
depravity, wickedness or corruption.

DRUG EDUCATION, DEFINED

Drug Education is a learning process that influences an individual emotionally,
intellectually, psychologically, and socially and may result in the modification of attitudes
that influence behaviour. It involves the formal mechanism of presenting information,
and includes a series of experiences and influences that help shape the learning
environment, the atmosphere of the school, the life-style present at home, the attitude of
parents, the pressures within peer group, the popular culture, the personal experience
with or without drugs, and the availability of alternative mechanisms employed to carry
out certain kinds of behavior.

HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE

The use of chemical substance that alter physiological functioning dates back to the Old
Stone Age. Egyptian relics from 3500 B.C. depict the use of opium in religious rituals.
By 1600 B.C.., an Egyptian reference work listed opium as an analgesic, or painkiller.

The Incas of South America were known to have used cocaine for at least 5000 years
ago.
Cannabis, the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) from which marijuana and hashis are
derived, also has a 5000-year history.
During World Wars I and II, the use of injectable morphine to ease the pain of battle
casualties was so extensive that morphine addiction among veterans came to be known
as the “soldiers disease”. By that time, the medical professional and the public
recognized how addictive morphine was, its use had reached epidemic proportions.
Then in 1898, the Bayer Drug Company in Germany introduced a new opiate,
supposedly a non-addictive substitute for morphine and codeine. It came out under the
trade name heroine, yet it proved to be even more addictive than morphine.
When cocaine, which was isolated from the coca leaf in 1869, appeared on the
international drug scene, it too was used for medicinal purposes. Its popularity spread
and soon it was used in other products, a variety of gin tonics, and the most famous of
all, Coca-Cola, which was made until 1903.

THE GLOBAL DRUG SITUATION

DRUG TRAFFICKING
It is noteworthy that drug abuse has become not only a national issue or a problem of
just a few countries but it is clear and present global danger. Today, well-organized drug
syndicates are behind this menace. They employ the most advanced and most
sophisticated technology coupled with unlimited financial resources at their command
and disposal. Police agencies around the world, pooling their resources are more often
than not, the losers in a game of hide and seek with the international drug syndicates.
DRUG TRAFFIC ROUTE
On the other side of the globe is the second major drug traffic route, which is composed
of the popular “Golden Triangle” which is composed of three (3) countries namely: (1)
Burma/Myanmar, (2) Laos, and (3) Thailand; and the “Golden Crescent” which is
composed of: (1) Iran, (2) Afghanistan, (3) Pakistan, and (4) India.

Southeast Asia
The “Golden Triangle” approximately produced 60% of Opium in the world, and 90% of
opium in the eastern part of Asia. It is also the officially acknowledged source of
Southeast Asian “Heroin”.
A heroin is produced in the “Golden Triangle” and passes through nearby countries in
relatively small quantities through air transport while in transit to the United States and
European countries.

Southwest Asia
The “Golden Crescent” is the major supplier of opium poppy, marijuana and heroin
products in the western part of Asia. It produced at least 85% to 90% of all illicit heroin
channel in the drug underworld market.

THE WORLD’S DRUG SCENE

Middle East
The Becka Valley of Lebanon is considered to be the biggest producer of cannabis in
the Middle East. Lebanon has also became the transit country for cocaine from South
America to European illicit drug markets.

Spain
Spain is known as the major transshipment point for international drug traffickers in
Europe, and became the “Paradise of drug users” in Europe.
South America
Columbia, Peru, Uruguay, and Panama are the principal sources of all cocaine supply in
the world due to the robust production of the “coca plants”.

Mexico
Mexico is known in the world to be the number one producer of “Marijuana”.

Philippines
The Philippines is second to Mexico as to the production of Marijuana. It also became
the major transshipment point for the worldwide distributionnof illegal drugs particularly
“Shabu” and “Cocaine” from Taiwan and South America. It is noted that Philippines
today is known as the drug paradise of drug abusers in Asia.

India
India is known as the center of the world’s drug map, leading to the rapid drug addiction
among its people.

Indonesia
North Sumatra has traditionally been the main cannabis growing area in Indonesia. Bali
Indonesia is an important transit point for drugs en route to Australia and New Zealand.

Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand

These countries are known to be the most favorable sites of drug distribution from the
“Golden Triangle” and other parts of Asia.

China
China is the transit route for heroin from the “Golden Triangle” to Hong Kong. It is also
the country where the “epedra plant” is cultivated-source of drug “Ephedrine” which is
the principal chemical for producing Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (shabu)
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is known as the world’s transshipment point of all forms of “heroin”.

Japan
Japan has become the major consumer of cocaine and shabu from the United States
and Europe.

THE ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS BEHIND THE GLOBAL DRUG SCENE

The Columbian Medellin Cartel

Founded during the 1980’s by Columbian drug lords in the name of Pablo Escobar
Gaviria and drug bosses: Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha and the top aid cocaine
barons Juan David Ochoa Brothers.
The Medellin Cartel is reputedly responsible for organizing world’s drug trafficking
network. The Columbian government succeeded in containing the Medellin Cartel,
which resulted in the death, surrender, and arrest of the people behind the organization.
This further resulted to the disbandment of the Cartel that led to its downfall.

The Cali Cartel

The downfall of the Columbian Medellin Cartel is the rise of the Cali Cartel – the newly
emerged cocaine monopoly.

Gilberto Rodriguez Orajuela – better known as “Don Chepe” “the Chinese Player”
heads the syndicated organization. Under him, the Calu Cartel was considered the most
powerful criminal organization in the world. The Cartel produces over 90% of cocaine in
the world. Due to this huge production, it was called the best and brightest of the
modern underworld. They are Professionals of the highest order, intelligent, efficient,
imaginative and nearly impenetrable.
The Chinese Triad
The Chinese Triad, also called the Chinese “Mafia” is the oldest and biggest criminal
organization in the world. It is believed to be the controller of the “Golden Triangle” with
international connection on drug trafficking. The Chinese Triad is also referred to as the
“black societies”. Called themselves Triads because of their highly ritualistic use of
numerology – a belief in the magical significance of numbers. The number 3 and
multiples of 3 were accorded major importance by this group. The symbol triad societies
is depicted by an equilateral triangle with the 3 sides representing the 3 Chinese
concepts of heaven, earth, and man