Gov’t intensifies anti-drugs campaign in Cordi schools

BANAUE, Ifugao – To curb drug use and eradicate Cordillera from the list of marijuana producing regions, the Dangerous Drugs Board intensified its anti-drugs campaign in the schools through the BarkadaKontraDroga program launched in the region last week.

During a three-day training of school heads and health nutrition personnel in the region here Oct. 25-27, officials and speakers from the DDB, Health and Nutrition Services of the Department of Education, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police encouraged educators in the Cordillera to take the lead role in the drug prevention education program.

“Educators in whatever capacity, are potent partners of law enforcement agencies in preventing drug use among the youth. Embrace this mission with a smile and commitment,” said acting DepEd regional director Teresita Velasco during her keynote speech.

To increase students’ awareness of the ill-effects of prohibited drugs, the prevention program adapted the peer group or “barkada” strategy wherein a core group of students is organized to champion the anti drugs campaign within the campus.

This group of students shall in turn teach and positively influence their peers during there knowledge in drug prevention education and life skills.

The barkada kontra droga program shall be spearheaded in the region by the participants in the said training.

Accordingly, drug supply reduction is necessary to achieve a drug-free country but it is more realistic and sustaining if drug prevention is in place to realize a drug-resistant society.

The Philippines boasts of being the best in drug prevention education among all countries in Southeast Asia. – Rosanna D.