PRO 7 Vows to Reduce Demand for Illegal Drugs

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 will shift its focus on reducing the demand for illegal drugs in Central Visayas after seizing some PHP307.2 million worth of illegal drugs in the past 18 months, an official said.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, PRO 7 directorial staff chief, said they need to have a strategy to intensify their campaign in dealing with the drug users this time.

“To address this problem, we need the cooperation, support and active participation of the community, especially the barangay anti-drug abuse council (BADAC),” he said.

“We will solicit BADAC’s help in identifying these drug users,” he said.

Lawas said they will find ways to treat the users.

He said drug users have a tendency of becoming drug pushers.

“When we talk about users, we are treating them as victims,” said Lawas.

“If we don’t pay attention to these drug users, even if we arrest all the drug pushers, these users will possibly start selling drugs because they still need drugs,” Lawas said.

Under the watch of former PRO 7 Director Prudencio Tom Bañas, the police in Central Visayas arrested more than 6,000 drug personalities.

Lawas said he and other police officials are reviewing the accomplishments of Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (Raidsotg) 7. (PNA) JBP/EB/EDS