COTABATO CITY HAS 6 DRUG LABS

A REGIONAL health official last week confirmed the presence of at
least six illegal drug laboratories in Cotabato City.

This was revealed last week by Rogelio Chua, Department of Health
Region 12 director, during a press conference.

"A reliable informant gave the information to me," he told
reporters.

Chua, however, failed to pinpoint the location of the said drug
laboratories.

At the same forum, South Cotabato police director Senior Supt. Getulio
Napenas said majority of drug pushers arrested in the province
confirmed that Cotabato City has been the major supplier of
metampethamine hydrochloride, also know as shabu, in Central Mindanao.

"We are getting the information from the neutralized local drug
pushers," he said. Napenas however said they still has to confirm the
presence of drug laboratories in Cotabato City.

Both officials also declined to comment whether Chinese or Filipino
syndicates are maintaining the alleged drug laboratories.

Chua said over 3.2 million Filipinos nationwide are now either drug
dependents or occasional users.

Shabu tops the favorite among drug users at 87.82%, followed by
marijuana, rugby and over the counter drugs like Robitussin AC, Corex
Plain and Nubain, he said.

Among drug users, male and female ratio is 9 is to one, with the
average drug user at 29 years old, data showed.