Bacolod cops probe proliferation of ecstacy in schools

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from marijuana and methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), police in Bacolod City are looking out for the party drug Ecstasy especially in school zones. Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) reported the city’s anti-drug special task group received reports of the growing use of the drug. SPO4 Cesar del Carmen, head of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, said Ecstasy pills are difficult to recognize and only experts could identify them. He said they are particularly keeping an eye on public and private schools for the possible proliferation of illegal drugs, especially of the cheaper marijuana. The task group is coordinating with the schools in conducting drug symposia to emphasize the ill effects of illegal drug use among students, he said. Ecstasy pills (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) are an amphetamine drug that produce a sense of intimacy with others and diminished feelings of fear and anxiety. Del Carmen said one can buy marijuana for P10 per stick, while shabu costs P200 to P1,000 per sachet. Out of 12 operations conducted in the first quarter of the year, Bacolod police recovered 2.67 grams of shabu and 301.44 grams of marijuana. Del Carmen urged school administrations to take a vital part in the campaign to curb illegal drug in the schools. He said schools should report to the task group immediately if they monitor students using illegal drugs so the source can be identified and arrested. - GMANews.TV