DEPED OKAYS SHAME CAMPAIGN VS DRUG OFFENDERS

THE provincial office of the Department of Education (DepEd) favors
implementing the controversial "shame" campaign against drug users
and peddlers as a way of reducing, if not totally eradicating, the
supply of drugs in the province.

The "shame" campaign position was aired by DepEd OIC Provincial
Schools Division Superintendent Victoria Galgo during the media
conference initiated by the Philippine Information Agency last
Wednesday at Bethel Guest House.

Galgo said in implementing the campaign, there should be caution so
as not to violate certain and specific constitutional rights.

The shame campaign was first implemented by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim
by writing words with the use of paint at the house of suspected drug
lord or user.

The move then had created uproar among the community members claiming
that the act has violated rights of the individuals residing in the
said houses painted with words.

Galgo urged members of both the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental
and the City Council of Dumaguete City to enact local laws that would
allow such campaign.

She said that traditionally from elementary level up to the high
school level they have integrated in the subjects the harmful effects
of drugs but yet the problem persists for years now.

The education official also pointed out that most of those that fall
as victims of drug abuse are children from broken families and from
well-off families.

Dumaguete City Councilor Allan Cordova who was also around during the
media conference also explained that the shame campaign has yet to be
studied because it might violate the presumption of innocence of an
individual suspected of being a drug lord or user.