PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- This city, the capital of Nueva Ecija province, has a new measure to step-up the drive against illegal drugs.
Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas said the month of August of every year is now an "Anti-Illegal Drugs Month" after the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously approved Kapasyahan Blg. 56 Serye 2017 last August 14.
The measure was formally introduced to the public during the 5th Anti-Illegal Drugs Summit held at the Plaza Concepcion here Thursday.
"This is not only meant for those who are using illegal drugs but also to the youth who might get hooked to drugs too," Cuevas said, adding the measure may also lead to provision of funds and month-long packed programs in the future.
She said the measure is also in support of President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against hard drugs.
Cuevas launched the summit, participated in by several agencies, particularly education and law enforcement bodies, in 2013.
The mayor said identified users in the city have mostly undergone drug test and rehabilitation.
The city government has been relentless in its drive against illegal drugs even if the problem is not that big here.
Police have arrested a relatively small number of 15 persons, five through arrest warrants, eight in buy-bust and two in checkpoints, in its relentless drive under Oplan Double Barrel here, city police chief, Chief Inspector Arnel Santiago, said.
On top of this, 546 people have surrendered and are undergoing local-level rehabilitation in the Bahay Pagbabago established, in coordination with the local government unit, under Oplan Tokhang, he said.
Some 50.53 grams of suspected "shabu" and 619.30 grams of dried marijuana leaves were recovered from the surrenderers.
All local government employees and police personnel have also undergone drugs test, police reported. (PNA)
