Proper use of technology

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

How does one solve a perennial, seemingly endless scourge of society that has wreaked havoc on the lives of some people whose involvement looks as if it is a way of life?

The three killings in Dumaguete since the start of the year, identified as drug-related by the police, once again put on the spot what has long been tagged as society's menace. Tales of desperation among families whose loved ones have been hooked on illegal drugs have become commonplace.

Not all is lost in this fight against evil, for lack of a tamer world to refer to drug addiction, especially as our law enforcers are willing to implement stricter rules and procedures to curb drug-related crimes. However, because the country follows the rule of law, we must likewise abide by what legal procedures require.

The latest directive of Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria to provide cellular phones to tanods of identified hotspot barangays in the city, in the hope that they may help minimize the occurrence of untoward incidents, is one more step towards solving this concern. While the tanods may not be able to outrightly make an arrest, they can call the police hotline, or even the mayor 24/7, for an immediate response.

The intentions of the city government in providing these much-needed technology are laudable. We know that our tanods are given only a pittance for their job of helping maintain peace and order in our barangays. What they get is just a token for their responsibility that, at times, pose risks to their lives.

If such technology is used properly and judiciously, then this can go a long way in minimizing, if not solving, crimes, drug-related or not. After all, no one can help us better than ourselves. Our barangays can band together towards keeping their neighborhood drug-free and crime-free through their concerted efforts.*