4/ 20 things you should know about drug policy
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8/2/2019 4/ 20 Things You Should Know About Drug Policy
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4/2 0 t h i n g s a b o u t
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
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