Kris Aquino has maintained that she does not condone the actions of celebrities who have been nabbed by authorities for illegal drug use.
“Naiintindihan ko that, for us, to talk about this drug menace, kailangan celebrity ang pag-usapan.
“Kasi bibigyan mo ng ten minutes, fifteen minutes sa news dahil kilalang tao yung involved,” she said.
Kris stressed that there is no shame in owning up to ones' mistakes.
“Doon sa mga [nasangkot] ngayon, nakita natin yung pagpapakulong sa kanila, yung mga pinagdadaanan nila.
“Unang-una diyan, own up to it. Nangyari, e.
“And I think, sa America, kaya sila nakaka-recover kasi ino-own nila, and they do something about it.
“And, thank you Lord, natututo sila. Sana mangyari din sa atin 'to — na matuto tayong lahat.”
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other entertainment reporters interviewed Kris on the sideline of Ariel laundry detergent's campaign launch, held at Shooting Gallery Studios in Makati City, Tuesday, October 11.
THE STIGMA. Kris elaborated that instead of perpetuating the stigma against drug users, Filipinos should focus more on solving the problem.
She said, “Okay, hinuli mo, pinahiya mo... Bakit sa America, si Robert Downey Jr. nakulong, na-rehab?
“And then naging Iron Man pa siya.
“So ako, ipinagdadasal ko na sana lahat ng ito... If you're still into it, my God naman, matuto ka na! Stop it.
“If you can afford to buy it [drugs], e, so dalhin mo na sarili mo sa rehab.
“Kung ayaw mo dito, mag-abroad ka, linisin mo ang sarili mo.
“It begins with you or, at least, the ones who really love you, linisin ka nila.
“Kasi, gusto mo ba mamatay?”
RANDOM DRUG TEST. Kris also said she's in favor of random drug testing among celebrities.
She added she always brings with her the prescription for her medications to avoid being falsely accused of illegal drug use.
“Sabi ko nga, walang problema sa akin — a urine test, a blood test, or a hair test.
“Kasi any of those four substances, in my entire life, never ko na-try.
“Hahaha! So, malakas ang loob ko.”
To fellow celebrities who were arrested for drug use, Kris said that she hopes they have a strong support system.
“Yun nga, ang hirap ng trabaho, ang hirap ng work hours, kung wala ka pang support system.
“Hindi ko sinasabing tama yun, pero posible talagang malaglag ka dun.
“And you will need talaga people to love you, to help you rise up.”
She also asked media reporters to be more sensitive in their news coverage of celebrities who have been arrested.
“And tayo na may ano, tulungan naman natin, huwag ninyo na lalong palakihin.
“Lalo, spare the children. Huwag na ipakita yung misis, mga anak, kasi kawawa.”