These recent days Bohol was at the epicenter of shocking and scandalous stories which have easily become a favorite recipe for social media talks. We have learned of the tragic fate of James Co, his wife, and two kids. He shot his wife and kids, and before taking his own life he set on fire their family car. All the four were dead. Their charred bodies were beyond recognition. The incident has left Boholanos shaking their heads – they were unable to imagine or understand how a seemingly harmless father could end the lives of his loved ones at a time when we are still reeling from the natural calamities that struck our province last year. Six days later, a 31-year-old son, under the demonic influence of illegal drugs, raped his own 54-year-old mother in Baclayon town, a crime that has triggered incessant public clamor for the immediate re-imposition of the death penalty. Former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in 2006, abolished the death penalty law.

The raging debate whether or not our country should restore the death penalty law is not an easy topic. Since the issue covers far-reaching implications, many are still deeply divided whether death penalty is the final cure to the growing list of heinous crimes in the country today. Bohol, in all its reputation of being peaceful and livable, where people of deeply rooted faith in God are found, is not immune to heinous crimes. But one thing remains certain: the evil tentacles of prohibited drugs are now creeping into our homes, threatening the stability of our families. While the grim case of James Co family is not related to illegal drugs, the bizarre rape in Baclayon is pointing to the shaming, fatal effects of illegal drugs.So the question now is not whether or not we favor death penalty. The question is how the Boholanos can emerge victorious in the war against this scourge.

Earlier, Provincial Police Director Dennis Palo Agustin has sounded the alarm bells that the problem on illegal drugs in Bohol is more serious than what we know of. The police colonel has vowed to intensity their campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs in Bohol. The police can only do so much. As what we have said before, the crusade against drug addiction begins at home. If we are able to strengthen family institutions, leaving no place for illegal drugs to reach the minds and hearts of our children, then we have won the war against this society's menace. Shabu, cocaine, heroin, marijuana and all would only rot in the underworld market if no one would buy this life-destroying substance. And our authorities must first address the question: why people buy this evil substance? Once we have addressed the question, then supply for this substance will naturally die a natural death. What happened in Baclayon last Monday should recalibrate our complacent perspective on illegal drugs. There would be more shocking and scandalous tales coming out of the tourist-favorite province if we fail to curb this problem.