The Death of Dreams (Frankiana)

Chapter 5

Franki's POV

Nag-iisip na kami ng isusulat na article about Akie the Rapper kaya nag-search kami anything about drugs, especially in the Philippines. At ito ang lumabas,

[ “Drug abuse and addiction are major burdens to society; however, staggering as these numbers are, they provide limited perspective of the devastating consequences of this disease”
umerous incidents have been reported in local and international television and social media about drug users and dealers who are caught in the acts, especially in those squatters area or what they call “drug dens”.

Not only those people who live in this populated area are being reported to the authorities but believe it or not powerful persons like government officials also indulge their selves in using prohibited drugs.

Most of the drug users in the Philippines are young people. Illegal drugs that are present include Methamphetamine or the local name is shabu, marijuana, inhalants (rugby), solvent, cocaine, diazepam, ecstasy and nubain. While there are no accurate statistics available, it is estimated by Dangerous Drugs Board as many as 3.7 millions in the Philippines are dealing with drug addiction just a year 2016, 65 percent of it -is young people. So what is the reason why this young people in the Philippines are attracted to use these illegal drugs? Maybe you will agree with this points I’ve listed. I’ll focus my discussion on young people who use prohibited drugs.

First, enjoyment.
Despite all the concerns about illegal drug use and the attendant lifestyle by young people, it is probably still the case that the lives of most young people are centered on school, home and employment and that most drug use is restricted to the use of tobacco and alcohol.

They may adopt the behavior, fashion and dialect of a particular subculture including the occasional or experimental use of illegal drugs without necessarily adopting the lifestyle. Even so, the evidence of drug use within youth culture suggests that the experience of substances is often pleasure rather than negative and damaging. People who use drugs may like the feelings of excitement, confidence and connection with others which some drugs can elicit.

Drugs may also help relieve feelings of boredom. So possibly the main reason why young people take drugs is that they enjoy them.

Second, environment.
Many young people live in communities which suffer from poverty, with high unemployment, low quality housing and where the surrounding infrastructure of local services is fractured and poorly resourced.

In such communities drug supply and use often thrive as an alternative economy often controlled by powerful criminal groups. As well as use that might be associated with the stress and boredom of living in such communities, young people with poor job prospects recognize the financial advantages and the status achievable through the business of small scale supply of drugs.

Third, curiosity.
Most young people are naturally curious and want to experiment with different experiences. For some, drugs are a good conversation point, they are interesting to talk about and fascinate everyone. Teenagers and adults can succumb to peer pressure. The pressure of being around others who are abusing drugs or alcohol can make anyone follow suit and do things that they never thought they would.

Lastly, personal problems.
Some young people will use drugs specifically to ease trauma and pain of bad relationships and then physical and emotional abuse arising from unhappy home lives. Such young people will often come to the attention of the school. If these problems can addressed, then if drugs are involved they can become less of a problem.

So how can we prevent this widespread use of drugs and drug addiction? For me, it is within ourselves, and that is DISCIPLINE. It’s hard for me to know that the lives of my fellow young people are being devastated just because of these prohibited drugs. If I have the opportunity to renew their lives, I would help them by conducting seminars about drug addiction. I will encourage them to join some recreational activities to reverse their attention on drugs. I will promote the importance of Education and FAMILY. Lastly, encourage them to practice the healthier living habits. ]

[ READ: What happens when police get basic understanding of drug addiction?

Only with a holistic approach, Hechanova said, can the Philippines catch up in addressing the country's drug problem.

Flores and Hechanova agreed the country is behind in terms of research on drug addiction as a health problem.

"Actually, people are very much aware now about addiction. Maybe we need to be more scientific about it – studies and all. We lack the literature, that's why we're having a hard time coming up with a program," Flores explained.

Hechanova said more resources have to be dedicated both to research and to equipping local governments with enough manpower to rehabilitate drug users at the community level.

According to Leo Trovel, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's National Barangay Operations Office, more than 96,000 surrenderers are involved in community-based rehabilitation programs. Authorities expect this figure to increase because many local government units are still at the training stage for the program.]

[ At the start of his administration, President Duterte said there were three million drug addicts in the Philippines which was the reason why he launched a brutal campaign against illegal drugs which has now claimed over 4,000 as of March 2017 per data from the Philippine National Police.

From three million drug addicts, which number he attributed to former head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Dionisio Santiago, he increased it to four million in less than a year.

He even fired then Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Benjamin Reyes for saying there were only 1.8 million drug addicts in the country. Reyes was replaced by Santiago whom Duterte fired after just a few months at the DDB for saying the 10,000-bed capacity mega drug rehabilitation facility in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija built by a Chinese official was a “mistake” and an “impractical solution” to the drug menace.]

That's the information we need for the introduction and then focus na sa story ni Akie. Entitled, "How disconnection gives birth to chaos."

"Franki, matulog ka na. It's 3 in the morning, for Pete's sake."

"Last paragraph nalang D." Lumapit sya sakin at niyakap ako mula sa likod.

"There's a higher probability na magkakamali ka if you lack sleep. Kaya later na yan, I swear tutulungan kita. Okay?." Kaya wala nakong nagawa, naglalambing ang isang to eh.

I saved the file.

Pinatay ko na ang laptop ko at sumama na sa kanya sa kwarto.

"Ayan, dapat may beauty rest." Sabi pa niya habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.

"Goodmornight Franki." She said kissing my forehead.

And then I woke up. Panaginip lang pala. Actually nakatulog ako sa desk ko kagabi. Atleast naman, natapos ko lahat ng trabaho ko.

"Good morning Franki." Masayang bati sakin ni Diana, while brushing her teeth. Damn, that dream. Bakit ganun yung dream ko?.