CHIEF Supt. Noli Taliño (center), director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), raises an alarm over the number of minors involved in illegal drugs in Cebu province during the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) held at the PRO-7 Media Center on Sept. 2, 2016. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Even children are not spared from the evil of illegal drugs.
Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), on Friday was alarmed to learn that over a thousand minors are into illegal drugs in Cebu province.
“Nakakabahala ito. (I’m worried). It’s alarming. It can happen to any of our children. If we don’t do anything, then more and more children will fall prey to illegal drugs,” he said.
Based on the records of PRO-7, there were 1,412 minors from among the nearly 30,000 persons who surrendered to police authorities in Cebu province under Operation Tokhang since July 1 to August 31 this year.
Of this figure, 1,352 were boys and 60 were girls who were either using or selling drugs, the police data revealed.
There was no specific data on the age bracket, but the same record showed that most of these minors were out-of-school youth.
For the whole of Central Visayas, while no clear figures were provided, the PRO-7 report said that Cebu province has the most number of children who were selling drugs at 7.52 percent, followed by Bohol (1.23 percent), Lapu-Lapu City (1.07 percent), Siquijor (0.89 percent) and Cebu City (0.22 percent).
On the other hand, Bohol has the largest number of kids who are using drugs at 7.39 percent, followed by Cebu province (4.52 percent), Lapu-Lapu City (4.38 percent), Mandaue City (2.44 percent), Siquijor (2.10 percent) and Cebu City (1.76 percent).
“Illegal drugs choose no one — children or mature people, boy or girl, rich or poor. Anyone can be a victim. Even our children,” Taliño said.
Police officials are looking for ways to address incidents of minors who are involved in illegal drugs, he said.
“Our campaign against illegal drugs needs the support of all sectors. Collaboration is key,” Taliño added.