Drug
addiction, caused by methamphetamine hydrochloride or simply shabu, has hit all
sectors of society and does not recognize any boundary, race nor religion. The
poor are not spared either; in fact, users from this sector often resort to
criminal means to get money to buy drugs. On the other hand, sons and daughters
of well-to-do families often have monies at their disposal, and their parents
can also send them more easily to rehabilitation centres.
As
a menace, shabu is the enemy of all and, therefore, should be fought together.
A common enemy calls for a united front approach.
Fully aware
of this menace, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has decided to act by
passing a resolution directing its forces to address the circulation and use of
this drug. The targets are drug pushers and also drug users. But the initiative
of the MILF has clear limitations. While the Moros recognize the moral
authority of the MILF to undertake this responsibility, but in other aspects
they are not yet set in proper perspectives. Moreover, drug dealers have
deep network of operation and can use their money to buy their way.
If the
efforts to curb or stop kidnap-for-ransom groups operating in Mindanao
have many success stories, it is because the government and MILF have
cooperated and created the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) whose task is
mainly “to interdict and isolate these criminals operating in or near MILF
communities.” The exceptions are those victims held in Sulu where the presence
of the MILF is not as strong as in Central Mindanao .
Sulu is the bastion of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Sultanate
of Sulu, and, of course, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). (However, in recent months
the MILF is gaining ground in this island province. Perhaps, a similar fashion
is worth examining).
The
advantage of the MILF taking an active role in fighting drug trafficking and
addiction is three-fold: First, the MILF has a vast knowledge of the population
and therefore, they have a good information of the dealers and users; second,
most, if not all, of the users, mostly young people, are from their own people,
and therefore, if they are allowed or tolerated to continue with their evil
deeds, they will destroy the future of Moro society; and third, with its
Islamic ideology, the MILF has more reasons to stop the drug trade and
proliferation, because drug addiction or even the use of it is considered
“haram” or prohibited or forbidden. The same reason is given why Muslims are
prohibited to drink liquor, because it clouds the intellect and makes it
difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Muslim faith is founded on
the intellect, rational thought and good judgment. Anything that could
jeopardize this behavior is forbidden.
Drug use,
more seriously, its abuse and addiction have negative consequences for
individuals and for society. Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain
disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful
consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.
Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the
brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control
and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/editorial/item/680-shabu-is-enemy-of-all
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