Speaking at Kapehan at SM City Davao on Monday (Nov. 6), Noli Dimaandal, the information officer of PDEA 11 said that the initiative of the agency happened after 49 minors allegedly involved in illegal drugs had been rescued during their anti-drug buy bust operations from January 2022 up to October.
“That is the reason we intensified our campaign against illegal drugs, particularly giving education to our students,” Dimaandal said.
He said the agency alongside the support of the interns of the college of criminal justice law education of the University of Mindanao (UM) focused their anti-drug abuse prevention lectures to the different schools in the city.
Dimaandal, however, said they are also in coordination with different schools not just only in Davao City but throughout the region.
The PDEA and its partners had already conducted 41 room to room lectures from Kindergarten to Senior High Schools since last week.
“Last week, Nov 3, we conducted 19 room to room lectures in Bolton Elementary School and 22 room to room lectures in Ceasario Villa Abrille Elementary School,” he said.
According to Dimaandal, PDEA has discouraged the conduct of symposium type anti-drug prevention campaigns because he said it is not conducive for learning.
He said they are expecting several room to room lectures in more schools in the region in the coming days.
Dimaandal said the lecture focuses on the ill-effects of illegal drugs and the salient provisions of Republic Act 9165.
“We explained to them what are the consequences if they will be hooked in illegal drugs,” he said.
The PDEA’s activity is also part of the National Children’s Month celebration this month and the observance of the National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.
This year’s theme for the national children’s month is ” Kalusugan, Kaisipan, at Kapakanan ng bawat bata ating tutukan.”
PDEA 11 Information Officer Noli Dimaandal