ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 24, 2012) – The National Youth Commission, and the Dangerous Drugs Board have launched Friday a nationwide caravan to campaign about the ill effects of substance abuse.
The campaign, launched in Baguio City, includes interactive plenary sessions, panel discussions, and the intensified launching of the “Barkada Kontra Droga–Bagets’ Edition” program.
With the theme “Intensifying youth empowerment efforts to zero-in on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control”, the series of campaigns will be held in key cities, including Naga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Davao.
Earl Saavedra, NYC Commissioner for Mindanao, said the battle against substance abuse has become one of their alarming concerns.
“In our latest National Youth Assessment Study, it was found out that 8% of the young people, whose age are between 15-30 years old, and dropped out of school because of drug dependence. At least 75% of them believe that the youth resort to substance abuse to escape from desperate situations,” Saavedra said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
The caravan, participated by more than 2,000 mostly young people and volunteers, aims to enlighten the public about drug addiction and its adverse effects.
“It aims to showcase the best practices of youth groups and organizations in combating drug addiction among young people. It also aims to enlist the commitment of the youth and the local leaders through a Manifesto Signing and Launching of the Drug Free Youth Freedom Wall,” Saavedra said.
Since its inception, the NYC has been taking the lead in creating advocacies geared towards educating the youth on the menace of drugs. “We wish to put a barrier among the young people’s vulnerabilities and innocence which oftentimes become reasons why they resort to illegal drugs. Our caravan, in partnership with DDB, deems to respond by means of initiating concrete steps as to how the young can be the duty bearers of such cause. After all, our society will be their future inheritance,” he added.
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