Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III on Thursday warned the public against smoking Thuoc Lao or ‘tuklaw’ cigarettes, a dangerous drug that may lead to death.
“There’s a reason why it is being declared as illegal. Because first and foremost… delikado ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan ginagamit ng mainstream na medisina so huwag nalang nilang subukan para mailayo sila sa disgrasya,” Torre told reporters in an interview.
“Wala pa akong nakitang adik na maganda at gwapo, lahat ng adik, pangit,” he added.
He said the drug has undergone examination in the PNP’s crime laboratory and the agency’s Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) is working alongside the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as well as the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to investigate the substance further.
Torre revealed the agency has arrested four individuals selling the drug, and that these were 19- to 20-year-olds who fit the profile of young people who were curious, tried drugs, and got hooked.
“Huwag niyo nang subukan ‘yan. Do something else that is more productive and better use of your time rather than experimenting with these illegal drugs na ikasisira lang ng inyong buhay, o the worst is ikamamatay niyo pa ‘yan,” he said, addressing would-be users.
As preventive measures against drug use among their ranks and regular citizens alike, the government has launched Oplan Pagbabago, a community development and reintegration program, while the PNP continues to strengthen its disciplinary machinery and chaplain services, among other things.
After all, tending to one’s spiritual development is an effective way to lead them onto the right path in life, as the police chief believes.
Tuklaw contains high nicotine content, reaching as high as nine percent (compared to ordinary cigarettes, which only have one to three percent nicotine), coupled with a synthetic cannabinoid, said the PDEA and DDB. Smoking these may result in psychotic episodes and hallucinations much like the effects of marijuana, but more “potent and dangerous.”
