IMUS CITY, Cavite (PIA) — The Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) underscored
the crucial role that societal and spiritual leaders play in
the government’s efforts to combat the dangers of illegal
drugs, particularly among the youth, under the Buhay
Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) anti-illegal drugs campaign.
During the BIDA Fun Run held here on Jan. 20,
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos emphasized the proactive collaboration between the DILG and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in organizing seminars for Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA). These seminars aim
to equip parents with the knowledge to recognize signs
of drug abuse and provide effective strategies for adBIDA…
dressing such concerns.
“ We are partnering with the Dangerous
Drugs Board, and we
would like to conduct seminars with the PTA so parents would know how to
identify red flags and how
to approach the problem,”
Abalos said.
In partnership
with the National Police
Commission (NAPOLCOM), Abalos highlighted
the DILG’s active engagement with religious groups
to connect with grassroots
communities.
He said the joint
effort seeks to identify areas where the illegal drug
trade is prevalent, fostering a comprehensive
approach to address the
issue at its roots.
“We will strengthen our ADAC (Anti-Drug
Abuse Council). We are
currently working with the
NAPOLCOM for our religious groups where they
will identify areas where
there are drugs. This
should be people power
from the grassroots, and
the only way to defeat
this menace is through us
coming together.”
Describing the
drug problem as being
passed down through
generations, Abalos emphasized the importance
of acknowledging its existence.
“We have many
challenges; we inherited these problems. But it
doesn’t mean we will give
up. What’s important is
that we acknowledge that
there is a problem, [so]
let’s not turn a blind eye to
the issues.”
Abalos added
that seven out of every 10
persons deprived of liberty
face drug-related charges.
“This means that
one out of every three
freed PDLs goes back to
jail. The BJMP has estimated that 70 percent
of PDLs face drug-related cases, while seven
out of 10 are involved in
[illegal] drugs. And that
speaks to the gravity of
the drug problem in our
country,” the DILG chief
said
