Illegal drugs destroy lives – that of the user, the addict and the pusher and their victims and families.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas, drug use is a market-driven activity. Meaning, if nobody uses drugs, the business will eventually die.

To solve the problem of rising illegal drugs use, one has to get into to the heart of the village.

Presently, there are six "seriously affected" villages in the 180 barangays of Iloilo City. They are: Veterans Village, Tanza Esperanza and Malipayon in City Proper; Simon Ledesma and Desamparados in Jaro district; Bakhaw in Mandurriao district; and West Habog-Habog, San Juan and Boulevard in Molo District.

According to Josie, resident of Boulevard for five years now, people in the area know who the drug personalities are, but they are afraid to report them to the police.

"Some residents chose to just keep their mouth shut than to report," she added.

So, to address the drug problem in Molo, PDEA formed Task Force Boulevard last May 21 which is composed of 50 policemen from the Iloilo City Police Office that will work hand in hand with village officials and the residents. They will also include illegal gambling, theft and scandal in their campaign.

Punong Barangays John Paul Caliso of West Habog-Habog and Sipil Espinosa of San Juan said the deployment of police will help maintain peace and order in their villages.

Of course, as village officials, they also have the responsibility of ensuring the residents' security, said Caliso.

Espinosa said he will encourage his constituents to be vigilant with what's happening in their place.

Punong Barangay John Villanueva of Boulevard said the formation of the task force indicates that there will be rigid operations in the village.

Atty. Ronnie Delicana, assistant regional director of PDEA said that village officials especially the punong barangay should cooperate in removing illegal drugs from their area.

Josie hopes that with the task force around, there will be less crimes.*