Drug problem to worsen - US anti-narcotics exec
September 3, 2013 | 3:03pm
MANILA, Philippines - The drug problem in the country will worsen in the next few years, an official of the US anti-narcotics department said on Tuesday.
Assistant Secretary William Brownfield of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs said the supply of illegal drugs will be diverted to the Philippines owing to the success of the anti-narcotics drive in the US.
He said the US anti-illegal drugs campaign has been successful in cutting down the drug problem by 50 percent.
"I'm sorry that the problem (drugs) will be get worse before it gets better," Brownfield told a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Brownfield said the Philippines is geographically conducive to be a drop point for illegal drugs from countries in South America, such as Bolivia, Peru and Columbia.
"The Philippines is the victim of geography," he said, noting that the major illegal drug suppliers and manufacturers in South America and Latin America will be diverting their contraband to East Asian countries.
Brownfield also forecast that the illegal drugs trade, particularly metamphetamine, will be a problem "in the streets of Metro Manila, and in every major city."
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said he and Brownfield discussed during their meeting the US aid to the Philippines to prevent the entry of illegal drugs.
He said he is eyeing to give the aid to either the Maritime Police or to the Philippine Coast Guard.
"So palalakasin ba natin ang PNP-Maritime Police or sa Coast Guard ba?" Roxas said.
Brownfield made a courtesy call to Roxas and the PNP leaders to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the US and Philippines to combat the illegal drugs trade.
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