More than 70 rehabilitation facilities for drug users were established in the country last year, President Marcos said.
In a video message on Monday, Jan. 8, Marcos gave updates on the illegal drugs campaign of the administration, which, he said, has made significant progress in 2023.
“Nakapaggawa tayo ng (We were able to build) 74 in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities to provide a path to recovery for those who want to break free from their addiction,” Marcos said.
The President further said that the national government has made inroads in addressing illegal drugs at the local level and worked with 50 provinces, 1,160 municipalities, and 30 cities in implementing the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADACs).
It can be recalled that on Jan. 4, Malacañang reported around P10.41 billion worth of illegal drugs were confiscated, and more than 27,000 barangays were cleared of narcotics under Marcos' drug war in 2023.
Marcos said it is a significant progress as it allows the government to easily monitor the status of every barangay in terms of illegal drugs use.
“Magandang progreso ito sa grassroots level dahil ang mga barangay ay pag nasabi natin ay cleared ‘yan, madali nang i-monitor at maayos na ang patakbo doon (This is a good progress at the grassroots level because we can now say that the barangays are cleared, and it would be easier for us to monitor and ensure the proper implementation)," he said.
"Siyempre, lagi rin natin tinitingnan yung rehab, yung prevention na hindi na pumasok yung mga kababayan natin sa masasamang ugali tungkol dito sa drugs at kung sino man ang nasubo na ay bibigyan natin ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng mga rehabilitation center (Of course, we have to look after the rehabilitation, the prevention to ensure that they will not do this bad habit in terms of drugs and whoever needs help would be given help through the rehabilitation center)," the President added.
Aside from confiscating around P10.4 billion worth of illegal drugs from January to December 2023 and clearing more than 27,000 barangays of narcotics, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it also arrested 56,495 suspects after conducting more than 44,000 anti-illegal drug operations.