Cancer of Society

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

Cancer of Society

History reveals that Illegal drugs had destroyed many law enforcers in government service. Gen. Dictador Alqueza was a National Director of the Narcotics Command (NARCOM) for only a week when relieved by Pres. Joseph Estrada after his name was linked to illegal drugs.

Gen. Roberto Lastimoso was also sacked as PNP Director General after he intervenes for the release of seven Chinese nationals apprehended in a raid at Sariaya, Quezon with sacks of shabu loaded in two waiting private vans.

P/Supt. John Campos, a former narcotic agent was shot dead while on his way home by unknown assailants. His girlfriend “Rose Bud” likewise a police “asset” at the narcotics command claimed his death is linked to drugs.

There are more unreported big drug-related cases but treated with cold-shoulder by authorities In fact, when I started writing in 1994, nobody inquires as they knew nothing about it. Now they do, after the problem becomes a serious crisis.

Illegal drugs proliferate due to corruptibility of our public officials. Drug money can buy politicians, judges, prosecutors, law enforcers, court personnel, television and movie personalities, journalists, government workers and underworld characters.

Even law enforcers are fighting each other as if fighting criminals on the street because of drug money. And as long as the predominant poor of this country are confined in poverty for lack of employment, no police or military action can stop the proliferation of illegal drugs.

The evidence is right here on our very nose. If the head of a family is a drug-pusher and gets arrested, the wife takes his place. If the wife is caught and jailed, the children will soon follow their footsteps. Why? They need to eat and a hungry stomach knows no law.

But if there are enough jobs for the poor families, what's more to risk the future of their kids? If they have a home, decent clothing, regular meals a day, appliances, health insurance and educational plan, do you think they can be waylaid?

I consider employment the most logical solution to drug problem. If illegal drugs are virus, the drug lords, drug trafficker and drug dealers are cancer of society. They are hard to nail because there are no illegal drugs, not even a grain of the stuff inside their homes.

They transfigure cancer living in one’s body but dependent on the food to grow. Here, drug traders are cancer of society who depends solely on drug pushers to survive and enjoy life’s best. But who says cancer is incurable?

My interview with different doctor/specialists helped me understand that cancer would only grow if fed. It needs food and the substance it gets from unhealthy food determines the speed of growth. But doctors say, starved cancer and it will die a natural death.

If only the government can propagate industrialization by putting up plants for manufacturing and production of say micro-chip, canned goods, quality fibers, and many more rather than to give more favor on commercialization, this will start the real war against illegal drugs.

If there are more jobs, there will be less number of drug pushers on the streets. Once the profit drops and cannot suffice to support the vices of drug lords, this will force them to risk their personal security in selling the stuff. But for how long, your guess is as good as mine!