Muntinlupa, Romanian city forge anti-drug ties

Muntinlupa City has brought its campaign against illegal drugs into the international scene by forging ties with the Romanian city of Pitesti.

Officials of both cities have recently signed an agreement pledging cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs and crime.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the city was represented by City Planning and Development chief Allan Cachuela in signing an agreement with Pitesti’s Regional Office Drug Prevention, Evaluation and Counseling Centre Arges’ Constantin Serban and Marius Neacsu.

Muntinlupa and Pitesti officials will share information on effective measures in preventing drug use and discouraging youths from drinking and smoking.

The pact will also call for both cities to organize joint-training courses to be facilitated by experts in crime prevention, law, medicine, social care, psychology, pedagogy and journalism.

The goal is to provide public institutions, as well as private bodies and organizations involved in the drive against illegal drugs, with qualified staff.

Both cities will likewise start developing programs and projects for the evaluation, counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and social re-integration of drug users.

Authorities will collaborate in order to collect data on the risks of drug use in view of future studies as well as develop policies that can be adopted by both cities in relation to the drug issue.

The Muntilupa-Pitesti accord is incorporated in their sister-city pact, which entails active partnership in public administration, urban planning, environmental issues and sustainable development.

Prior to the signing, Fresnedi briefed Pitesti representatives on the current projects being undertaken by Muntinlupa’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office. These include random drug testing of city employees, police force, barangay personnel, school officials and students in several public schools in Muntinlupa.