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Igisomar initiates ‘war on ice’ campaign
Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) is in the process of finalizing a campaign to further combat the proliferation of methamphetamine or “ice” on the Commonwealth.
The lawmaker said it seems to be easy for the distributor or drug dealer, or trafficker, to get “ice” to the user.
Children are accessing the drugs and the problem is getting out of hand as indicated by a lot of crimes that are linked to “ice,” Igisomar said.
He said it is his intent to “suppress” or “block” this “direct access” between the dealer and the user through an education campaign and outreach programs to parents and children.
The campaign will involve a “drug court” and rehabilitation centers as well as the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Customs on the reinforcement side.
A drug task force, which might require funding, is also being eyed.
Igisomar particularly noted that a drug court has already been endorsed and is only awaiting the necessary funding for it to be established.
He said the campaign will work in such a way that the drug court will work with the rehabilitation center to prevent users from going back to using drugs.
And to further make the campaign effective, Igisomar said he is finalizing details on hiring an external consultant to organize the campaign.
“The idea is to suppress and stifle the proliferation of drugs,” he said, through an information dissemination campaign to involve the whole community, including businesses, groups, and residents.
“This drug problem is killing our economy,” Igisomar said.
Igisomar earlier introduced several bills, one of which is to “freeze” the assets of convicted distributors of illegal drugs, particularly that of “ice” and another imposes heavier penalties on drug peddlers.
