Drug prevention confab for youths in Cebu set

CEBU – Some 150 student leaders from 33 private and public high schools in the 6th District of Cebu province are expected to attend a conference workshop on drug prevention and control to be held tomorrow at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Wenceslao “Weng” Gakit announced that he will be spearheading the conduct of a symposium to create awareness among the youths in the province about the bad effects of illegal drugs on the individual users and the community, as well as to encourage them to take up the fight against drug abuse.

Gakit said the symposium is the response of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to the memorandum issued by Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno encouraging local government units to conduct a seminar on drug prevention in the observance of the Drug Prevention Month.

Citing data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Gakit said that about 532 barangays of the total 3,003 barangays in Central Visayas are penetrated by illegal drug trade. Of the above number, authorities said 283 barangays are from Cebu.

Out of the 283 drug-affected barangays in Cebu, 184 barangays are considered “moderately affected” while 92 are “slightly affected.” Only seven barangays in Cebu are classified as “seriously affected.”

Gakit believes that by engaging the community, particularly the youth, in government’s anti-drug awareness campaign, they can help curb the worsening drug-related problems in society.

The PDEA and the Dangerous Drugs Board will provide Capitol with their expertise and technical assistance during the conduct of the workshop conference.

DDB vice chairman Clarence Paul Oaminal will discuss the salient features of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while PDEA 7 acting regional director Randy Pedroso will also give lecture about other relevant topics on drugs prevention.

Reformed drug users are also expected give testimonials on how their lives were ruined by illegal drugs and how they managed to overcome their personal tragedy.

Gakit explained that during the workshop, the student leaders will be asked to formulate their own anti-drug campaign plan, which they can implement in their respective schools. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)