The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has collaborated with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime-Regional Headquarters for Southeast Asia and the Pacific to further enhance the fight against illicit drug manufacture and precursor control among the key agencies involved in the anti-drug campaign.

DDB chairman Catalino Cuy received the report containing the information about the ‘Precursor Chemical Diversion Diversion, Trafficking and Control Frameworks in Southeast Asia, China and India: Developments, Status and Way Forward during the bilateral meeting.

DDB Executive Director Earl Saavedra, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)  Director Derrick Carreon and the PDEA Service Directors were also present during the activity.

“Reiner Pungs (Programme Manager for Drugs and Precursors) and Mr. John Wojcik (Associate Programme Officer on Transnational Crime) are in Manila for the important joint undertaking,’’ the DDB said.

Earlier, the DDB joined its international counterparts in the 44th ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters (ASOD) meeting which served as a platform to discuss and foster collaborative efforts on drug abuse prevention and control.

During the meeting, the Philippines also served as the head of the ASOD Working Group on Treatment and Rehabilitation.

Maria Victoria C. Sorne, officer-in-charge (OIC) DDB Deputy Executive Director for Administration led the discussion of the different solutions and gaps in the implementation of treatment and rehabilitation interventions.

The session highlighted stronger cooperation and emphasized the importance of a committed community to continuously improve the lives of People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) within the region.