MANILA -- As part of the continuing campaign aimed at reducing demand for illegal drugs, the

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is pushing for the creation of a uniform anti-drug
advocacy program for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) nationwide.

According to PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino, the uniformed anti-drug advocacy
programs for SK will be implemented in coordination with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

During the SK Summit in Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga last Aug. 2,
Aquino urged the 8,000 SK officials who attended the event to organize less basketball
tournaments and beauty pageants and focus more on organizing anti-drug advocacy programs.

“SKs has a 5 percent annual budget from the barangay funds that can be used for the
implementation of anti-drug advocacy programs in their community,” Aquino said.

Aquino also cited the capability of the youth in utilizing technology as a way to effectively
disseminate information against the drug menace.

“SK officials can use the different social media platforms in disseminating correct information to
the youth. They can discourage young people from using illegal drugs and educate them on the
harmful impact of this industry to an individual and to the society as a whole,” he said, adding
that youth leaders are also role models in their respective barangays, municipalities and cities.

“We dream to have a country that is free of drug menace. We want to put an end to the killings
and the criminality brought about by the illegal drug industry. We dream of a nation with proud
and rich culture untainted by anomalies, corruption, greed and crime. We encourage you to
share this dream and start putting it into reality,” Aquino said.

“The youth is the voice of this nation. So, we appeal to them to maximize such power and help
the government change the future of this country. They have the capacity to communicate
among their peers, reach out to them and understand them in many ways we cannot as adults,
as parents,” the PDEA chief added.
In a related development, the PDEA and the local government of Taguig conducted a two-day
training program for the youth to provide them with coping skills to face situations which can
lead to drug use.

Dubbed as Taguig officials and PDEA Youth Camp 2018, the training program was held on August
4-5, 2018 in Makiling Highlands Resort, Pansol, Laguna and spearheaded by Taguig Local
Government Unit key officials under the leadership of Mayor Lani Cayetano and PDEA Anti-Drug
Advocates.

Some 160 Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen, SK kagawad, student leaders from Polytechnic
University of the Philippines and Technological University of the Philippines, and youth leaders
from religious sectors participated in the two-day activity which is part of the series of Youth
Camp to be rolled out this year.

Aquino said the camp tackled issues on the development of effective mechanism to reduce drug
demand among the youth and to strengthen local law enforcement cooperation on drug-related
cases affecting the youth.

“It is my duty as the PDEA chief to complete this program aligned with the directive of President
Rodrigo Duterte to intensify the fight against illegal drugs as we strengthen drug education
among the youth because young people are vulnerable to illegal activities like illegal drug use,”
Aquino said in a statement.

During the two-day youth camp, the participants exchanged ideas, best practices, cultural
experiences, talents and skills aimed at building a strong foundation to cope with challenges and
situation which can lead to drug use and abuse.

Among the topics discussed are Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Act of
2002; Role of Youth, Teachers, Community and its Leaders; Resisting Drugs and Violence; Duties
of Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) and Barangay Anti- Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs); and the
briefing for the Structure Program as Drug Advocates.
The conduct of a youth camp serves as a tool in solving the drug problem involving the youth, as
they are more prone to be utilized in its proliferation leading in the increasing number of juvenile
delinquents,” Aquino noted.

Most prevention campaigns focus on youth as they are going to be the future leaders of the
country, the PDEA chief noted. (PNA)