SCHOOL ANTI-DRUG ABUSE PROGRAMS BARED

Drug prevention programs of the City Anti-Drugs Abuse Council (Cadac)
are not only being implemented here by law enforcement agencies
nowadays, but also by some of Baguio's public high schools and annexes.

This was disclosed in the latest Cadac synergy meeting in City Hall
recently, where not only the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA) made known their programs and accomplishments, but also the
Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) and the Pines City National
High School (PCNHS).

The synergy meeting, said Cadac action officer and Baguio Vice Mayor
Daniel Farinas, was held to consult and discuss drug prevention
activities with stakeholders in the city.

It was aimed to prepare and submit to the Cadac the action plans of
the different schools regarding their drug prevention activities
within their campuses, annexes and the community; to strengthen and
make operational the Cadac Barkadahan Kontra Droga; and to discuss
the reporting system of accomplishments for consolidation.

"How far have we gone with the drug demand reduction drive in Baguio
City since January of this year?" asked Chief Inspector Edgar Apalla,
officer-in-charge of the PDEA regional office in the Cordillera, from
participants representing the different School Anti-Drug Abuse
Councils (Sadacs) of Baguio.

To this, BCHNS Araling Panlipunan head teacher Evelyn Gabot reported
that in their main campus and annexes, school administrators are now
empowered to apprehend, arrest or cause the apprehension or arrest of
any student or employee who shall violate any of the provisions of
Republic Act (RA) 9165 if they are in the school or within its
immediate vicinity, or even beyond such immediate vicinity if they
are in attendance in any school or class functions in their official
capacity as administrators.

As for the involvement of teachers, she said they have made it their
duty to report any employee or student found violating the
aforementioned provisions in the school or within its immediate
vicinity to their immediate supervisor who shall, in turn, report the
matter to the proper authorities.

For those in the student government and academic clubs, Gabot also
explained that they will include in their activities a program for
the prevention and deterrence in the use of dangerous drugs, and
referral for treatment and rehabilitation of student found positive
for drug dependence.

She said they have even integrated into their curriculum their
anti-drug advocacy and information education on drug abuse,
prevention, and control; provided leadership and capability-building
trainings and workshops; conducted co-curricular activities like
poster-making, slogan writing, jingle composition and skit
competitions; and also provided ancillary services like counseling,
assistance of any form and drug testing.

On the part of the PCNHS, Sadac Adviser Conchita Silvestre said they
have also conducted seminar workshops in their three annexes since
July 2007, conducted a tree-planting activity in the Busol watershed
and their annexes' respective areas last September, held a Life
Planning as A Resource Intervention for Drug Education (Life Pride)
seminar in October 2007, joined in the Drug Prevention Month
celebration where they had poster, slogan, essay writing and
extemporaneous speech contests, as well as a drama fest and torch
parade.

Aside from these, she said they also participated in a three-day
seminar on drug abuse sponsored by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
President and Councilor Ysabel de Vera at the City Hall multi-purpose
conference room last December 4 to 6, conducted a tree weeding last
January 2008, held home visitations and a Values Clarification
Seminar last February 2008, an intramural sports competition from
February to May this year, and also an anti-drug abuse literacy
program from March to May this year.