Three out of 18 barangays in Lila have been declared “drug-free,” said the town’s police chief.

According to P/Insp. Lito Rosales, the villages of Cogon, Jambawan and Calvario were officially considered cleared of illegal drug activities after documents proving the claim were approved by the town’s anti-drug councils.

Lila’s Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils confirmed the eradication of drug activities in the areas through intensified monitoring operations.

However, in other barangays of the town, narcotics trade has shown signs of resurgence after the police’s anti-drug campaign was suspended nationwide last month, said Rosales.

But with launch of “Oplan Double Barrel: Reloaded,” the government’s new blueprint for the police’s anti-drug campaign, Rosales said that they have resumed their intense crackdown on drug use and sale.

Following the surrender of 400 drug personalities under Oplan Tokhang, Rosales also thanked the town and barangay officials for their support in the police’s drive against criminality, particularly drugs.

Rosales cited the ASSIST-BI (Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test-Brief Intervention) program as a big contribution to the campaign against the drug trade.

Through the ASSIST-BI, authorities assessed the recovery needs of drug surrenderees to determine whether they need education and counseling or drug rehabilitation.

Despite the lack of police personnel, Rosales expressed optimism that the rest of Lila will be declared drug-free as he also acknowledged the public’s support in the campaign. (Rey Tutas)