Scoring big against the illegal drugs trade has seemingly become an ordinary accomplishment for the authorities nowadays. Almost every day, we read and hear about police arresting big-time drug dealers and confiscating big packs of shabu.
As the intensified battle against its proliferation continues, we are also shocked and alarmed by the serious effects of the illegal drugs to the community that even young children have become hapless victims.
In Barangay Duljo-Fatima in Cebu City Friday evening, at least five minors were among those caught when police swooped down on a drug den in a major raid that netted more than 200 packs of suspected shabu.
Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch of the city police office, said they were surprised to see children as young as 11 years old sniffing shabu inside the drug den. The arrested minors admitted to the police that they take illegal drugs in order to stay awake as they sell newspapers during the night.
This only brings us to the conclusion that the community should not leave the job against the illegal drugs entirely to the police authorities. Barangay leaders and parents have a vital role to play too in the campaign.
The campaign against such menace should start at home. Parents have the duty to educate their children about the ill effects of the illegal drugs. Of course, constant monitoring on their children's activities would greatly help.
There are many factors why children take the illegal drugs. First and foremost is the absence of attention from their parents. That is why parents are largely responsible. So building a close relationship is also important to maintain openness.
While we commend the police for their series of accomplishments against the illegal drug trade, the war will never be won without the full support of the whole community. Therefore, parents must seriously do their part by seeing to it that their children are well protected from the danger of illegal drugs.