In several occasions, both during the candidacy and after winning the election, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr affirmed pursuing his own brand of drug campaign focusing on prevention, education on the ill effects of drugs, treatment, and being within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) continues to hold on to these commitments so that we can progressively work on improving the human rights situation in the country. At the same time, we continue to advocate for the implementation of voluntary community-based drug treatment and harm reduction interventions as an alternative to compulsory detention where people are detained for sake of claimed drug treatments. Such recommendation follows the joint statements of the United Nations (UN) in March 2012 and June 2020, including a study by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Program on HIV/AIDS in East and Southeast Asia, recommending the closure of compulsory drug facilities and shift to voluntary community-based treatment and services for people who use drugs. We stress the need to address the drug problem beyond being a mere issue of criminality, but as a health and social issue requiring a human-rights based approach. With the pronouncements of the President, we look forward to a drug campaign that puts respect for human rights as its prime consideration.
Philippine Standard Time:
Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 4:00 AM
