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d r u g s 1. Incarceration of Filipinos

Almost 2 in 5 or 36% of people in Philippine jails

are there because of drug-related cases. This

figure goes up to 45% in Region 3 and 42% in

the NCR. PDEA 2010 Annual Report

2. Anti-drugs law amendments

Following the "Alabang boys" snafu, PDEA

Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. asked

Congress to change provisions in RA 9165 -

Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

that (1) relate to evidence handling, and (2)

require a Justice Department representative or

community official to be present during raids.

Both seek to prevent police abuse and human

rights violations. Philippine Daily Inquirer,

8.27.11

3. PH is 4th illegal drug source in Asia

Six percent of illegal drugs in Asia originate

from the Philippines. VP Binay stated that, as of

June 2011, Filipinos face 692 drug courier cases

worldwide. Philippine Star, 7.30.11

4. PDEA

Last 2010, PDEA received PhP 502 million from

the government, made 11,163 operations, and

seized PhP 4.79 billion-worth of drugs &

chemicals. PDEA 2010 Annual Report

5. TAMA

The Philippine Organization for the Reform of

Marijuana Laws (PORMAL) has argued forapplying Republic Act 8423 - Traditional

Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 in the

case of cannabis. PORMAL on Facebook

6. Around 1 in 20 use drugs worldwide

The UN estimates that 3.3% to 6.1% of 15 - 64-

year olds globally (149 to 272 million people)

used illicit drugs at least once in 2010. 124 to

202 million people are estimated to use

cannabis. World Drug Report 2011

7. New approach in drug policy neededThe Global Commission on Drug Policy,

composed of eminent leaders such as George

P. Schultz, Kofi Annan and Richard Branson,

has declared the US-led War on Drugs a failure

and has called for the end to the

criminalization, marginalization and

stigmatization of users. Report of the Global

Commission on Drug Policy

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8. Portugal drug law success

After ten years, Portugal's decriminalization

and treatment of drug users has cut the

number of "problematic" addicts by half. AFP,

7.1.11

9. Central America discusses legalization

Growing frustration over crime and corruption

in Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica,among other countries, has led them to

consider legalization. Los Angeles Times,

3.25.12

10. US states to vote on marijuana

Voters in Washington and Colorado will decide

whether to legalize possession and allow trade

of cannabis this coming November. - Drug

Policy Alliance, 2.27.12

11. Drug violence in Mexico

In 2011 alone, there were around 16,700 drug-

related murders in Mexico. Since 2006, there

has been some 50,000 drug-related killings in

the country. BBC News, 12.31.11

12. US War on Drugs

Despite spending over US$ 2.5 trillion on the

War on Drugs for the past 40 years, the number

of drug users has steadily risen in America to

19.9 million people. TIME, 3.25.09

13. Alcohol problemAlcohol is the world's 3rd largest risk factor for

premature mortality, disability and loss of

health, resulting in 2.5 million deaths each year.

World Health Organization

14. Cigarette profits

Smoking caused six million deaths in 2010,

contributing earnings amounting to US$ 35.1

billionequal to the combined profits of Coca-

Cola, Microsoft & McDonald's. Tobacco Atlas

in Rappler, 3.22.12

15. Science should serve as basis for drug

policies

International academics and health experts

argue that criminalization enriches organized

crime, escalates violence and increases health

risks. Vienna Declaration

16. International bodies call for harm reduction

The UNODC, Red Cross & Red Crescent have

all called on national health authorities for

harm reduction interventions, specifically

needle and syringe exchanges, and

substitution therapy. International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,

3.20.12

17. New psychoactive drugs

Consumption of unregulated drugs or "legal

highs," some of which include piperazines,

cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids,

tryptamines and phenethylamines, offset the

gains in tackling global use of cocaine and

heroin. BBC News, 6.23.11

18. Medical applications of psychedelics

The US Food and Drug Administration has

approved limited research into the benefits of

psychedelic drugs such as MDMA, LSD and

psilocybin. "Ecstasy" is noted to have potential

therapeutic value for treating sex abuse

victims and post-traumatic stress disorder

(PTSD). Multidisciplinary Association for

Psychedelic Studies in Voice of America,

3.14.12

19. Medicinal cannabis studiesCannabis is now known to help in pain,

multiple sclerosis and other health problems.

Financial and legal challenges to researchers

of medicinal marijuana, though, leave huge

gaps in knowledge. Voice of San Diego,

11.18.11

20. Akei Drug Policy Program

Help build the case for harm reduction,

decriminalization and legalization in the

Philippines! Akei needs your help to informmore people, gather research materials and

challenge prevailing ideas to change national

drug policy. Add us on Facebook, Twitter

and/or Tumblr, or send an email to

[nex.benas@gmail.com] to know more.

ANABISDrug Policy ProgramKanabis Initiative