INFO DRIVE, CONTESTS TO MARK DRUG MONTH

BAGUIO City marks the Anti-Drug Abuse Month this November with a
series of information campaign on the ill effects of drug abuse and
various contests top-billed by the search for the best barangay
anti-drug abuse program.

The activities, which will focus on the theme "Kalayaan sa Droga tungo
sa Matatag na Republika," were lined up by the City Anti-Drug Abuse
Council headed by Mayor Bernardo Vergara as chairman and Vice Mayor
Betty Lourdes Tabanda as action officer.

The activities aimed at reinforcing the students' awareness on the
effects of drug abuse were launched in simple rites on Monday at City
Hall and at various schools and offices all over the city.

Dorothy Dacumos, Cadac project officer, said the observance will also
be launched via the Kapihan sa Baguio news forum on November 13 at the
City Council session hall.

A month-long film showing will also be conducted simultaneously from
November 4 to 29 in various schools.

To further promote Cadac's thrust to involve parents in the anti-drug
abuse campaign, a seminar/symposium for parents and workers against
drug abuse will be conducted on November 12 at the UCCP.

On November 15, Cadac will fete the 12 high school students who
completed the crash rehabilitation/restoration program. The students
were earlier apprehended and tested positive for drug use.

Also lined up were contests initiated by Cadac in partnership with
various agencies: Trophy-Logo design contest with the Department of
Education where submission of entries will be on November 4 to 9; and
the search for the Best Barangy against Illegal Drugs of which the
deadline will be on November 15.

Tabanda said the search aims to give incentives to barangays actively
involved in the drug abuse prevention drive in keeping with the city
government's thrust to "eradicate the drug abuse problem in the city
and to help maintain and transform barangays all over the city into
drug-free and peaceful communities."

The search will cover all barangays in the city. For the initial
implementation of the program, the period to be covered will be from
July 2001 to August 2002.

Participating barangays will be evaluated based on the following
criteria and their corresponding ratings: organization and
strengthening of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, 15 points;
formulation and implementation of advocacy and information campaign,
15 points; apprehension of illegal drug pushers and users, 15 points;
monitoring and reporting of drug pushers and users, 10 points;
monitoring status and results of all illegal drug-related
investigations in the barangay, 10 points; assistance in the
prosecution of illegal drug pushers and users, assistance in
conviction, 10 points; treatment and rehabilitation, 10 points;
monitoring and reporting of cases, 10 points; and special projects to
reduce supply and demand, 5 points.

As to the mechanics, the Cadac constituted an awards committee headed
by City Interior and Local Government director Jose Rapanut, which
will evaluate the performance of each contestant barangay.

The top three barangays will receive plaques and cash
awards.