Malacañang does not intend to change the government’s approach to drug addiction even as a group of psychologists objected to its criminalization. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo maintained that the government’s policy on drug addiction has been effective, contrary to the claim of the Pyschological Association of the Philippines (PAP). We have reduced, dismantled in fact a huge chunk of the illegal drug apparatus,” he told a press briefing on Tuesday. The Palace made the remarks following the PAP’s recommendation that the government amend Republic Act No. The Palace, however, challenged the group of psychologists to come up with an alternative instead of claiming that criminalizing drug addiction ran counter to the definition of addiction or substance use disorder in RA 11036.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 08, 2019 21:33 UTC