Disturbing figures coming from drug enforcement agencies: 9 million drug addicts, ninety percent between the ages of 16 years old and 30. Another report this time from an intelligence unit of the government revealed that the usual profile of Filipino drug users are those belonging to the 14-25 age group. Imagine, very young men and women engaging in a vicious habit that threatens their very futures.
An ABS-CBN report by Korina Sanchez tonight showed that drug peddling in schools and universities is as frenetic an activity as enrolment. Drug agents have identified Centro Escolar University (CEU) and San Beda College (SBC) as two of at least a dozen other universities and colleges whose students are buying and selling illegal drugs. Teenagers buy and sell illegal drugs just like they swap or load their cellphones. Known teen hangout bars like Embassy and Warehouse in Makati were also identified. These shows you a totally drug-crazed landscape. We seem to have reverted back to the heady days of hippie counter-culture where drug use is one habit that's sure hard to break.
What has happened to our youth? Is this worsening drug situation just an aberration or its a really, and truly serious problem that needs drastic measures? Some groups are calling for a re-institution of the death penalty. But, is this really the solution we need?
What's wrong with the Filipino youth of today? Why is the Youth seemingly misdirected? Are we seeing the obvious social effects of neglect by many parents who are too busy earning money abroad? What's the core of this social malaise?
Who's to blame for this societal mess? Is it the church? Is it the parents? Is it government? Who in our society should we blame for this? Or this is the way the Youth is expressing their anger against the dysfunctionalism they're experiencing?
Lives, families and futures are being destroyed. The Filipino Family is being destroyed. The Youth is being victimized. Directionless, the Youth is indulging in dangerous passions that threatens their future. We, all of us, are victims here. These young ones will be our leaders, entrepreneurs and workers in a few years time.
I find this post very offensive. I am a Filipino youth and I regret to inform you that I have sense of direction, as well as an aversion to drugs. I am so sick of being generalized like this! Maybe the youth are into drugs because obviously it is what other people in society expect of us. Give the youth the benefit of the doubt. Many messed up adults are addicted to drugs. People who are well-known celebrities, socialites and generally rich people who have nothing better to do with their money. Maybe the title of your article should have been WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH FILIPINO DRUG ADDICTS TODAY. Then you would not have to taint the rest of us (youth) with your accusations -Bea
ReplyDeleteBea,
ReplyDeleteI believe that the title was made in such a way that it does not encompass the entirety of the youth nor it generalizes "the standard of living or the way of life of the Filipino youth" today. It is a mere play of words. It does not cast a stone upon, us, the youth. It is a call to prevent us from falling into the same trap.
I do recognize your right to your opinion. As well as I am, the writer expressed his own sentiments, not for the entire Filipino youth, but to the selected few who have fallen. Am I right Mr. Mangubat?
hi bebong and bea,
ReplyDeleteyou are definitely right my friend! It';s all up to us to prove that this seemingly jaded observation is wrong. It is a play of words. It's a yawning, a veritable shout that hey, you, those who belong to the younger set, think and act! Act now! Act to change our society!