President Rodrigo Duterte has created 20-member Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs and Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force to be headed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“It is the policy of the State to pursue an effective campaign against drug trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances through an integrated system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-illegal drug abuse policies, programs and projects,” the executive order said.

Duterte signed EO Number 15 last March 6, but it was released by the Office of the President Friday night.

The EO said it is the “priority thrust of the government to suppress the drug problem in the country by putting behind bars manufacturers, traffickers and peddlers of illegal drugs, and by transforming drug users into productive members of society.”

Under the order, the ICAD is tasked to ensure effective anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of high-value drug personalities down to the street-level peddlers and users. It shall lead and coordinate the implementation of the National Anti-Drug Plan of Action 2015 ? 2020; ensure comprehensive implementation of the Barangay Drug Cleansing Program and intensive conduct of advocacy campaign initiatives. DMS