MANILA, Philippines – The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the country’s policy-making and strategy-formulating body on drug prevention and control, on Monday spearheaded the celebration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control or DAPC Week.
The kick-off program was held at the Cuneta Astrodome and co-hosted by the local government of Pasay City and the Inter-Faith Based Council on Drug Prevention and Control.
This year’s theme: “Listening to Children and Youth is the First Step to Help Them Grow Healthy and Safe.” Highlighting the ceremony is the launching of Board Regulations Nos. 3 and 4 or the policies on managing voluntary surrender of people involved in illegal drug activities. These regulations do not only provide for the standards or guidelines on handling surrenderers but also ensure that appropriate interventions will be accorded to them. Part of the regulation, which aims to increase access to drug treatment and rehabilitation, is the establishment of community-based treatment and care services that are mandated to be led by local government units (LGUs), through their respective Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs).
For the whole week, LGUs, ADACs, non-government organizations, national government agencies, and other groups are expected to initiate activities or take part in programs that will promote the anti-drug advocacy of the Duterte administration. For Metro Manila gov’t. agencies, they have united to drumbeat the observance of the DAPC all over the National Capital Region.
Among the activities/campaign prepared include: putting up of bulletin displays in offices; radio broadcast announcing DAPC celebration; web news and text blasts; holding of inter-faith services; school-community parades; literacy/musical programs; intensive educational campaign against drug abuse thru symposia, seminars, film showings; community assemblies and school PTA meetings; slogan, poster and essay writing contests; and holding of exhibits and shows to make people aware of the dangers posed by drug abuse.
Culminating the celebration is the DDB Anniversary and Recognition Rites on Nov. 18 at Tanghalang Pasigueño, Pasig City. Individuals, groups and organizations who have been instrumental in the anti-drug fight will be honored during the occasion. The DAPC Week is celebrated every third week of November pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 124, dated Nov. 26, 2001.
PH observes drug abuse prevention, control week
