Northern Mindanao LGUs and Agencies Rally on World Drug Day to Promote Youth Drug Abuse Prevention

Northern Mindanao — Local government units and regional agencies in Northern Mindanao participated in the global observance of World Drug Day, focusing their efforts on preventing drug abuse among the youth.

According to Philippines News Agency, chief of the Anti-Drug Abuse Division at the Oro Wellness Center, the day was marked by various activities targeting the youth, the primary participants. In an effort to broaden the scope of health education, partnerships were established with the City Health Office to also address tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS, given their potential links to drug use through shared paraphernalia. Descallar highlighted the ongoing commitment of the Oro Wellness Center to drug rehabilitation, which includes a community-based support system and aftercare programs.

1st District City Councilor Romeo Calizo reported on the success of several anti-drug campaigns in reducing crime rates within the city, noting a significant improvement in the local drug situation compared to previous years. Meanwhile, Valencia City celebrated the graduates of its Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), supervised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and offering services from intervention to relapse prevention.

In Iligan City, the local government and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10) reopened the Balay Silangan Reformation Center, initially launched in 2019, which now operates in the former Iligan City Drug Treatment Rehabilitation Center building. The first batch of 24 enrollees graduated in December 2019, coinciding with the groundbreaking of a permanent facility.

Additionally, in Lanao del Norte, PDEA-10 led the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) initiative and conducted lectures on the Drug-Free Workplace Program for government employees in Munai town.

World Drug Day, also known as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, serves as a platform to raise awareness of the issues surrounding drug abuse and the illicit drug trade globally.