THE PNP is fine-tuning its approach in the war against illegal drugs to give more focus on the reduction of drug demand, specifically the education of the youth on the bad effects of the prohibited substances.
“We’re not focusing only on drug supply reduction,” PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo told a radio interview yesterday, referring to police operations against drug traffickers and peddlers.
“We are also giving equal importance to the demand reduction program,” added Fajardo.
Fajardo made the remarks when asked to comment on a recent pronouncement by President Marcos Jr. that the previous administration’s war against drugs was focused too much on law enforcement, leading to abuses by certain elements in the government.
Fajardo said the PNP respects the pronouncement of the President but said the PNP’s “strategic direction” in the campaign against illegal drugs is evolving.
“What will happen to our approach — as our chief PNP, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said — is it going to be holistic when it comes to reinforcement and education,” Fajardo said.
Acorda assumed command of the 2280,000-strong police force last April 24, replacing now retired Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. who bowed out of the service upon reaching the retirement age of 56.
“We are going to target the youth; we are going to show them the ill effects of illegal drugs. On the enforcement (side), we are going to be aggressive so that our approach we’re taking will be two-pronged,” said Fajardo.
“If no one is buying, no one is patronizing (illegal drugs), there’s going to be a reduction of drug suppliers,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo said the effort to reduce drug demand will be done in coordination with government agencies, including local government units (LGUs).
“We admit that the PNP cannot do it alone, the war against drugs. On the prevention side, we really need the help of all government agencies, our LGUs and the members of the community,” said Fajardo.
