YOUTHS BACK CITY DRIVE ON DRUGS

Thousands of students from 25 universities and colleges in Manila as well
as members of various multi-sectoral groups have expressed their allout
support to the renewed campaign of Interior and Local Government Secretary
Alfredo S. Lim to rid the city of drug pushers.

The students who formed themselves into a group dubbed "Alliance of Student
Leaders-Manila" committed to transform the city into a drug-free community.
They joined the first batch of 3,000 drug fighters who took their oath last
week.

The students are tasked to monitor the presence of drug traffickers in
their respective barangays and report them to the Katapat Center of the
Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) located at the
university belt in Sampaloc.

Lim said the police will provide armed support under the direct supervision
of the DILG. The other supporting agencies will be the Dangerous Drugs
Board (DDB), school and church authorities, and barangay officials.

He said the youths from 46 parishes have also joined the anti-drug campaign
handing themselves into "Kabataan Simbahan Laban sa Droga at Karahasan."

The multi-sectoral organizations representing the six districts of Manila
also signed a manifesto called "Tipan ng Bayan Laban sa Droga at
Kahirapan." These included the Urban Poor, Ina ng Tahanan, Bantay Bayan,
Ladies Auxiliary Brigades, Kaisa Community Organization, senior citizens,
and vendors.

Expressing deep concern over the problem, Lim noted that since he left City
Hall, major drug pushing and addiction have reached alarming proportion,
triggering the rise of drug-related crimes such as rape, murder, and robbery.

"Our main concern right now is to identify drug pushers, send them to jail
so that the flow of drug supply to users will be effectively cut bringing a
more peaceful and harmonious community," Lim declared.

The former mayor expressed elation and deep gratitude to the flurry of
supports extended by city residents to his campaign to save the city from
the clutches of drug dealers.

Schools joining the intensified drug crusade include the De La Salle
University (DLSU), Far Eastern University (FEU), University of the East
(UE), Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU), Feati University, the
University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Mapua, and Lyceum.

Lim, together with civic leaders and barangay officials, will march around
the second district of Tondo today to gather more support and dramatize his
serious concern in putting an end to the drug menace.