To maintain a drug-free city and ensure that the youth are safe from illegal drugs, the Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) strengthened its programs and initiatives against illegal drugs.
CADAC visits barangays to conduct community-based and family-based drug preventive education or symposiums to educate the community on the effects of drug addiction.
Wendell Tolibas, CADAC’s Technical Adviser on Drug Prevention Control, said in an interview over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio that their information campaigns also focus on the youth sector as they are vulnerable to bad influences.
“Ipahibalo gyud kung unsa ang epekto sa ginadili nga droga especially man gud ang focus pud namo ron sa mga batan-on nga sa ila’ng yano nga edad makasabot na sila nga dili gyud maayo ang ginadili nga droga (It is important to make the public understand the effects of illegal drugs, especially the youth sector that at young age, they know and understand that they should never use illegal drugs),” he said.
Tolibas added that for their school-based programs, they conduct symposiums on illegal drugs, the effects of addiction, how addiction is a disease, and of the detrimental effects of illegal drug use.
Teachers also have a module on anti-illegal drugs that they may use and incorporate in their lessons.
Tolibas also emphasized the importance of cascading information on illegal drug use and its effects to the grassroots level to further prevent its spread in the community.
“Sa matag-usa ka barangay, sa matag-usa ka purok, sa matag-usa ka pamilya kinahanglan gyud nga magtinabangay. Pakusgan gyud ang impormasyon nga kinahanglan mapaabot gyud, makabalo gyud ang matag-usa epecially sa mga balay-balay (Every barangay, every purok, every family should cooperate and help cascade information on the detrimental effects of illegal drugs, and ensure that the public is well-informed),” he said.
Parents should also be equipped with necessary information on the effects of illegal drug use and addiction for them to be aware of the signs that they should look out for, and know how to properly address the case.
The CADAC, in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), has a Special Drugs Education Center (SDEC) program intended for out-of-school youth and street children.
Through the SDEC, the CADAC and CSWDO craft ways to ensure that this sector is being given the right programs and services so that they will not be tempted to use illegal drugs.
The City Government of Davao, through its various social welfare and illegal drug prevention offices, continues to provide programs and services that will enhance the quality of life of Dabawenyos and create a drug-free Davao City. CIO
