Think Twice- Penalties for Illegal or Dangerous Drugs

By: Atty. Karissa Tolentino

For those who are curious out there, the use of illegal or dangerous drugs may seem a
"cool" idea in the beginning. But it can turn into a living nightmare that includes
accidents, a criminal record, a prison sentence and even death.
Before illegal drugs will ruin your chances at life, it is best to know what action are
prohibited in our Country in relation to illegal drugs:
Prohibition of SALE:
Section 5 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, penalizes any person who participates in the sale,
trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of any
dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.
PENALTIES
The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos
(P10,000,000.00) may be imposed upon any person, who, sells, trades,
administers, or delivers to another any dangerous drug, including any and all
species of opium poppy regardless of the quantity and purity involved, or shall
act as a broker in any of such transactions. Any person, who sells any
controlled precursor and essential chemical, or shall act as a broker in
such transactions, may suffer a penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve
(12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years and a fine ranging from One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos
(P500,000.00). And any person, who acts as a "protector/coddler" of any
violator of the provisions under the aforementioned Section, may suffer a
penalty of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years of
imprisonment and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00).
Remember, if you sell, deliver, dispense, administer, trade, distribute or transport any
drug that is prohibited by law, and you are not authorized by law to perform such acts,
you are in violation of Section 5 of RA 9165.
Prohibition of POSSESSION
On the other hand, Section 11 of the same law penalizes any person caught in
possession of dangerous drugs.
PENALTIES

Any person caught may suffer a penalty of imprisonment ranging from twelve
(12) years and one (1) day to life imprisonment and a fine ranging from
P300,000 to P10 million, depending on the quantity of the drugs involved.
Remember, if you are in possession of any dangerous drugs and your possession is not
permitted by law, then you are in violation of Section 11, of RA 9165.
Prohibition of USE
Section 15 punishes a person apprehended or arrested, who is found to be positive for
use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test.
PENALTIES
The penalty of a minimum of six (6) months rehabilitation in a government
center for the first offense, subject to the provisions of Article VIII of this Act. If
apprehended using any dangerous drug for the second time, he/she shall suffer
the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to
twelve (12) years and a fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)
to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00): Provided, That this Section
shall not be applicable where the person tested is also found to have in his/her
possession such quantity of any dangerous drug provided for under Section 11 of
this Act, in which case the provisions stated therein shall apply.
Remember, if you are caught using dangerous drugs and you tested positive of the
confirmatory test, then you are in violation of Section 15 of RA 9165.
In view of the suspended imposition of the death penalty pursuant to Republic Act No.
(RA) 9346, the highest penalty that may be imposed by the courts is Life Imprisonment.
Even if the death penalty cannot be imposed, I am sure you do not want to spend the
rest of your life in prison. So think twice before using or dealing with dangerous drugs!