Why Richard is in a fighting mood

It all started out of a sense of frustration. Told that the MAD (Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga) party list tried, but failed to lobby a bill in Congress that would give more teeth to anti-drug efforts, Richard Gomez decided to do something more concrete about it.

He took his anti-drug posturings (remember the series of ad campaigns he directed to that effect?) a step ahead. He joined the MAD party list seeking the maximum three seats in Congress this coming polls.

"We want to make our presence felt in the legislative area," he explains. And, with a solid, aggressive party list behind him, Richard hopes the strength in numbers will do wonders for his anti-drug campaign.

One of MAD’s major programs, Richard goes on, is a dramatic amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. Richard feels it has outlived its purpose and it’s about time it is changed in keeping with modern-day (stark) realities.

"The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 mandates that a person found guilty of possessing 200 grams of shabu could be charged for drug pushing. For marijuana, it’s 700 grams, or half a sack!" reveals Richard.

During these times when even the poor can avail of sachets of shabu, Richard and his group think this is unrealistic. Instead, MAD is pushing for a much lower amount of dangerous drugs for a person to be convicted and charged for drug pushing.

"Our proposal is at least 10 grams of shabu and 20 grams of marijuana for a nonbailable conviction," says Richard.

He shudders to think about what drug addiction can do to a country of which half of the population are composed of the young, the ones most susceptible to drugs.

"Do you know that some rehabilitation centers turn away drug dependents because they have turned into mental cases? They’re sent straight to the mental hospital!" states Richard, his voice rising in indignation.

He has obviously done his homework as he ticks off statistics.

"More than 60 percent of those who are now in jail all over the country have been convicted because of drug-related cases. And 26,000 of such cases are now pending in courts all over the country."

The culprits have been pointed out before: absentee or busy parents, peer influence.

MAD’s alternative isprevention. Create maximum awareness among parents and the young about the dangers of drug abuse. Provide alternative activities, like sports and books for the young.

The 18 existing drug rehabilitation centers, established wit the help of MAD and non-government organizations, must swell in number. Courts especially established to prosecute drug cases must be formed – from the barangay to the national level.

His single request: "Don’t vote for Richard Gomez (that would automatically mean a disqualified ballot). Vote for MAD."

Richard is in full battle mode, buoyed by the thought that he has parents and entire families rooting for him. No other challenge can be more exciting than paving the way for generations yet to come, including that of his only daughter, Juliana.