Drug dealers are everywhere; not literally see them with our own eyes but, the person we cross paths with on our way home might be a drug dealer and we don’t even realize it. A lot has been going on in the media these days too, knew about how drug dealers started to surrender in fear of their lives, and other news state about how drug users who didn’t surrender were killed. That’s right, we surrender and be put to prison, or not surrender and die, and there is no third choice.
Nearly 60,000 Filipino drug addicts have surrendered themselves to the government after President Rodrigo Duterte urged citizens to “go ahead and kill” drug dealers and users. I honestly think that surrendering is better than going against it, because that way we have the chance to reset our goals and “come clean” afterwards. But really, a lot has been less hectic lately due to the killings of drug users, and by decreasing their numbers, there are less chances of others being influenced. One proof of how drugs can influence people easily, one fact from a site called “Above The Influence”, where it states that 90% of Asians with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before even reaching the age of 18. When it comes to drug use, individual reactions and experiences vary, so it’s important to understand the usual risks and effects, both short- and long-term.
According to numbeo.com, the crime rates in the Philippines is 39.42, while the problem of using drugs is 46.45, with the latest update being this September 2016. This just proves that killing those who do not surrender works, because of the low crime rates. To put it simply, the earlier and the more drug users we “get rid of”. we could actually decrease the crime rates in the Philippines. Some people might disagree with my ideas on this, saying how there is no need to kill; that we never know who are the innocent people involved and who are not. But if one says there are better ways to make the drug users (who do not surrender) stop from using any more drugs other than killing them, then how? What are the other possible ways of stopping them? The fact that they are not willing to surrender is a good reason of killing them. One can stop being a drug user if they want to, and continue with their drug-addicted lifestyle if they want to. What I know is that, the choices these people make can actually change how their future goes. People should also be aware that drug users can not only influence adults, but teenagers as well, and even children. Metro Manila recorded the highest proportion of youth smokers at 26.6%, while ARMM recorded the lowest at 12.5%. The number of current alcohol drinkers, on the other hand, has declined significantly from 41% to 37%. Here, we may be talking about the surveys taken in year 2013-2015, but if the 2015 surveys have shown the decreasing result of drug using, then how much more now? By getting rid of the drug users immediately, the smaller the chances of affecting the youth. As stated in the second paragraph, 90% of Asians with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before even reaching the age of 18. The effects of drugs on the youth can not only affect their lives, but to those around them as well. Imagine how would their families feel? This could affect their education, their employment, develop financial pressures, and can even lead to homelessness.
Engaging in the usage of drugs at such young age, can not only affect our lifestyle, but their future as well. Drugs may lead the youths to commit serious crimes and will end up with them being imprisoned. Drug users must be aware of the consequences they’re going to face once they start this way of living; this includes death and life sentence. The wisest choice here is to admit your crimes and be sentenced, and then coming clean afterwards. That’s why, here’s a note to everyone: Before we decide to do anything reckless, we must think of the possible effects in our future, and the consequences as well. “Change is coming”, as Duterte had said, must start with ourselves.
