BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has forged a partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 to further intensify the campaign against illegal drugs.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and PDEA-6 assistant director Marjorie Ballesteros signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the sustainable implementation of Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 4 Series of 2021 and the launching of the ALAB Program or the Adbokasiya Laban sa Iligal na Droga campaign.
The MOA aims to reduce drug affectation through a culture of cooperation, respect for human dignity, holistic strategies, and a whole-of-nation approach to addressing the drug problem in the communities.
Under the agreement, the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) shall conduct the Training of Trainers (TOT) by providing logistical and financial support for the implementation of the anti-drug program.
PDEA, meanwhile, will provide the resource persons and materials.
The three-day training aims to equip and educate PADAC members, Philippine National Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, city and municipal anti-drug abuse council focal persons, and health and information officers on the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, Advocacy Campaign, and Drug-Free Workplace Program of PDEA.
Lacson urged the local government units to take a stand against illegal drug use and promote healthy living.
By working together to address the root causes of illegal drugs, he said they would be able to mitigate the harm associated with illegal drugs and save more lives. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
