The government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign has significantly cut the number of drug users in the country in the last five years, a Palace official said.
Citing data from the Dangerous Drugs Board, acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said the country has 1.67 million current drug users aged 10 to 69.
“The President is correct that the 4 million Filipino drug users in 2016 went down. Now it’s down 1.67 million estimated,” he said.
“This shows the success of the government’s anti-drug programs and it indicates – in fact, a survey shows a high public awareness and approval of the government’s anti-drug campaign.”
The government not only succeeded in flattening the user prevalence rate in the country, but it has also reversed the trend, Nograles said.
As of September 30, 2021, there are 74 accredited Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehab Centers all over the country, Nograles reported.