Psychedelic Play
By M.D. dela Cruz Tan
PUBLISHED: AUGUST 2009

It is not Outrage Magazine’s intention to make the world – or even just the Philippines – a haven for drug/substance addicts (thus, by extension, pushers).  But, aside from the use of their plumes for feather boas in cabaret performances, we are no fans of the proverbial ostriches, too, choosing to burrow their heads in sand instead of facing life’s truths.  Thus, we know that no matter the dislike of alcohol, Ecstasy, Ketamine, Mescaline, GHB, Acid, Methamphetamine, Percocet, Oxycotin, Prosac, Riddlin, Valium, Soma, Cocaine, and many other drugs, they exist – and people, including GLBTQIAs, use them.  And since no amount of scaring can dissuade them from doing so, anyway, Outrage Magazine is choosing a not-holier-than-thou stance – forget the name-calling, finger-pointing, blame-throwing, et cetera, and, simply, provide some enlightenment, relevant information, whatever, so that those who choose to use/not use actually know what they are getting themselves into.  As The Economist once stated (in 2003), paraphrasing Francis Bacon: Knowledge is power – but only if you know to acquire it.  Outrage Magazine hopes to supply that acquisition.

“I wouldn’t recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me.”
HUNTER S. THOMPSON (1937-2005)
American Journalist/Author

In 2002, David D.C. received a text message (SMS) from “the number of this guy – R.L., his initials were – I haven’t even met yet; we were text-mates, in a way, ‘meeting’ through some MSM social networking site online, and we have yet to find some time convenient for both of us to see each other face to face,” he recalls.  “It was, thus, somewhat of a surprise getting (that text message from his number), especially as it stated: ‘R.L. OD’d in Cebu City this morning. This is his sister, Jenna, texting, asking if you know anyone in Cebu City…”

Now looking back, David D.C. says that, “in hindsight, that was the first time I came face to face with what (bad) could happen with drug use.”  After all, like many Filipinos, “I have been bombarded (for lack of better word) with information about what’s wrong with drug use: from stealing from your family to finance your addiction to shoplifting (for the same reasoning) to killing those who will come between you and (drugs) to whatever.  But except for portrayals in (Filipino) films, I do not know of any such (drug user) – in fact, experientially, both heavy and/or recreational drug users I know are (among those) having the most fun, safe fun.”

Also, as a recreational drug user himself, “a (habit) I developed while overseas,” David D.C. hasn’t become “any of these portrayals.  No, I do not steal – have not stolen, in fact – anything just to sell them to (earn) money to finance my (drug taking).  Nor have I killed anyone while I was on a (high).  Nor have I raped anyone (while) in the influence of drugs.  Nor do I force anyone to take drugs just because I do,” he says.

David D.C. adds: “My situation isn’t so special – many of the (GLBTQIA) people I know who are into drugs are just like me: using sans the accompaniment of the hypes of using; normal, so to speak, even with the (supposed ills) that come with what we’re doing.”

And, with that, David D.C. touches on what remains wrong with information dissemination on illicit drugs and their use in the Philippines – that despite the commonness of the practice, the information that abounds is to instill fear, even if it seems to not discourage people from the practice.  Subsequently, it becomes a lose-lose situation: those opposing illicit drug use (e.g. law enforcers and similar-minded bodies) are losing out because nobody, really, is listening to their scaring; and the drug users lose because of the lack of right information to protect themselves when using.

“There has to be a better way to (go about) this,” David D.C. says.

PHILIPPINE SITCH

It is hard to ascertain exactly how many GLBTQIA Filipinos are affected by illicit drugs – mainly, this is because even the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA, the body tasked by the Philippine government to monitor the drug situation in the Philippines) is uncertain exactly how many Filipinos are affected by illicit drugs, much more a breakdown of their available statistics.

In The Current Drug Situation in the Philippines, presented by Undersecretary Jose C. Calida, executive director of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), during the regional update meeting of the UNODC F-97 project Improving ATS Data and Information Systems in China in 2004, only 8,189 drug cases were said to exist in the country.  Of this number, 7,663 cases (93.58%) were admitted from residential facilities and 526 (6.42%) in outpatient centers.

With 7,113 new admissions and 1,076 readmitted or relapse cases, a year-on-year increase from 2002 figures was noted, 45.07% in new admissions and 1.52% in relapse cases.  Most of the cases (91.47%) are male, for a male to female ratio of 11:1.

Perhaps promoting the commonly-held belief that drug-taking/using is, mainly, a habit/practice of youth, the DDB notes that “the highest percent distributions of center clients remain in the age groups 20 to 24 and 25 to 29, with 22.40% and 21.76%, respectively.  The mean or the average age is 28 years old.”

Among those included in Calida’s citation, 38.8% of the users are classified as unemployed, 31% workers, and 12% self-employed – with the drugs of choice dominated by Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (a.k.a. Shabu), with 6,195 cases (87.09%); followed by Cannabis (Marijuana) with 2,229 cases (31.34%); as well as of such drugs as Ecstasy and Nalbupine Hydrochloride (Nubain), though only in “insignificant numbers.”

Most of the drug use, by the way, are in the National Capital Region (3,554 cases, or 49.96% of the total admissions nationwide), followed by Region III (21.13%) and Region IV (17.22 %).

Fortunately, the Philippine government is first to admit the limited coverage of its dealings with the issue – i.e. DDB actually estimates 6.7 million illegal drug users in the country, with DDB chairman Vicente Sotto III acknowledging in 2008 that the real number is likely to be much larger, what with 13 international and 175 local drug syndicates currently operating in the country, some “allegedly shielded by corrupt police, military and government officials.” 

The illicit affair is said to be worth from $6.4 billion to $8.4 billion annually.
Understandably, says Calida, “like any other country worldwide, the Philippines has an ongoing battle against illegal drug trafficking and abuse.”

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