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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Adopt public health approach in war on drugs – Doc Willlie

Adopt public health approach in war on drugs – Doc Willlie

Published Feb 16, 2022 03:09 pm

Vice presidential candidate Doctor Willie Ong urged the government on Wednesday, Feb. 16, to adopt a public health approach in its war against drugs.

He said that drug addiction is a public health issue, citing various studies and reports that attest to the "chronic and relapsing nature" of substance abuse.

"Sa war on rrugs, kailangang-kailangan ‘yung rehab, ‘yung tulong sa mga drug addict na nasa two to three million sa ngayon. Dapat po science-based (In the war on drugs, we really need to rehabilitate the users and help about two to three million drug addicts. It should be science-based)," Ong said.

The Aksyon Demokratiko vice presidential bet said that many countries around the world focused on the criminal aspect of drug addiction which eventually led to the failure of their respective anti-illegal drug policies.

He cited the recommendations from the Informal International Scientific Network to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and urged the national government to heighten efforts that will eliminate stigma and discrimination toward individuals suffering from drug addiction.

He said the government should prioritize evidence‐based interventions for substance use disorders such as behavioral therapies and medication‐assisted treatment.

Ong also urged the public to engage in coordinated policymaking in public health, education, law enforcement, science, and healthcare systems. (Terence Ranis)

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