PDEG to bar ‘happy water’ drug

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) has beefed up its intelligence monitoring to prevent the entry of a new type of illegal drug called “happy water” into the country.

PDEG director Brig. Gen. Faro Antonio Olaguera said yesterday they are in constant coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies to keep the country safe from happy water, which has been monitored in Thailand and Myanmar.

“We are doing our very best to prevent its entry into the country,” he told reporters.

Citing a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Olaguera said happy water is a synthetic drug – a combination of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, ecstasy, diazepam, ketamine and tramadol.

As it is odorless and colorless, it could be used to drug people, especially those visiting entertainment areas, Olaguera said.

“It is easy to mix in drinks or even food,” he added, noting that the drug cocktail can make a person’s heart beat faster, which could lead to death.

Olaguera urged partygoers to secure their food and drinks when in restobars, nightclubs and other entertainment establishments.