Following an admission by President Rodrigo Duterte that the country’s drug problem had worsened, broadcast journalist and senatorial candidate Jiggy Manicad observed that one of the reasons why the drug menace continues to flourish is because of poverty and lack of basic social services.
“The so-called war on drugs should be accompanied by livelihood programs, job opportunities for families,” Manicad said.
“Sometimes, when you ask a mother [caught for drugs], why do you do it, she would say, ‘For food and medicine.’ So it really boils down to also providing employment and basic services, especially in the poorest communities.”
Manicad, who was an investigative reporter prior to his entry into the political arena, said there are still many cases of people being forced into drugs because of poverty, desperation or blackmail.
“As a journalist, we saw that some people abuse drugs to escape the harsh realities of life. Others are blackmailed by drug syndicates who threaten to kill their families if they don’t agree to becoming drug mules. We need to look into these cases too,” he lamented.
Amid continuing cases of confiscated drug shipments and buy-busts—with even celebrities and public officials allegedly part of the so-called narco-list—Manicad believes the drug menace must be addressed “on all fronts.”
“If we want to win this war on drugs, shouldn’t we look at all aspects of the situatuon. Aside from arresting the pushers and suppliers, we should look into why the demand for drugs is still great,” he shared.
“Does [selling drugs] give you extra income when you’re desperate? Is this due to the lack of education in our schools, which is why our youth succumb to peer pressure? It’s high time we act on all fronts. This is something I intend to do if elected to the Senate,” the neophyte candidate vowed.”‹