CAMPAIGNS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE IN NAGA CITY

NAGA CITY LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
OF DRUG ABUSE, ESTABLISHES THE NAGA CITY DANGEROUS DRUGS BOARD!

The Naga City Government, under the leadership of Mayor John Bongat, recently launched its comprehensive program for combating drug abuse in the city. The Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board (NCDDB) has been constituted and activated to coordinate and implement the various projects and activities under the city’s comprehensive antidrug abuse program.

NCDDB is composed of directors and heads of concerned government agencies, department heads of the local government, and representatives of the academe, religious, private sector, and NGO/PO.

NCDDB shall serve as the exclusive policy-making, monitoring, and coordinating body on the prevention and control of drug abuse in Naga City. It will execute programs and projects for formulating and implementing short-term, long-term, and sustainable solutions to the drug abuse problem.

The City Mayor is the chairman of the Board and Hon. Raoul Rosales has been designated as Presiding Officer. The Board shall constitute among themselves an Executive Committee and at least three Working Committees focusing on the following areas: (1) public information, campaign, and education; (2)intelligence, enforcement, and prosecution; and (3)early intervention and rehabilitation.

After having conducted two(2) consecutive meetings, one in November 2010 and another in January 2011, NCDDB is scheduled to be meeting on a quarterly basis.

The operations of the NCDDB shall be supervised by its Executive Committee through the Secretariat.



LIFE IMPROVEMENT THRU FRIENDLY EDUCATION (LIFE) COUNSELING CENTER NOW OPEN
FOR DRUG ADDICTS AND CONCERNED RELATIVES IN NAGA CITY!

Anchored on the compassion for the victims of drug abuse and as a support mechanism for those who are concerned with the predicament of drug addicts, the LIFE Counseling Center is just a phone call away! Alternatively, a more personalized face-to-face interaction with volunteer counsellors can be conveniently arranged.

The LIFE Counseling Center was created by Naga City ordinance No.2001-065 authored by then City Councilor and now Mayor John Bongat. It calls for the establishment and operation of a center that shall provide “confidential, competent, and reliable counselling services to drug users who have not yet reached the stage of drug addiction or dependence and are ready and willing to totally abandon drugs and return to normal life.”

The Center shall provide the following services: (1) provide free, confidential, competent and reliable counselling to drug users, particularly those who have not yet reached the stage of drug dependence; (2)refer to appropriate government agencies for rehabilitation, after compliance with procedural and judicial requirements, clients who can no longer be treated by means of counselling; and (3)recommend to the NCDDB such measures to improve the services.

The operations of the LIFE Counseling Center shall be managed and supported by the Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board (NCDDB) thru its Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Committee.


CITY GOVERNMENT PUSHES FOR THE CREATION
OF THE BARANGAY ANTIDRUG ABUSE COUNCILS (BADAC)

Barangays are the local government units directly affected by and confronting the consequences of drug abuse-related problems. Along this line, the Naga City Government is pushing for the creation of the Barangay Antidrug Abuse Councils (BADAC) in the city’s twenty-seven barangays.

As mandated by Memorandum Circular No.98-227 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), BADAC shall be composed of the following: Punong Barangay as Chairperson, Barangay Kagawad /Chairperson of the Peace and Order Committee as Vice-Chairperson, SK Chairperson, School Principal, Barangay Tanod Executive Officer, Representatives of NGO-PO, Parents-Teachers Associations, and Religious Organizations as members.

The primary role of BADAC is to plan, implement, and evaluate drug abuse prevention programs. Consequently, it shall be a mechanism for: (1) coordination of existing and planned services and programs, (2)obtaining funds, volunteers, facilities, and technical expertise, and (3)performance of other related responsibilities as may be assigned by competent authorities.

Initially dubbed as “Action Against Drug Addiction”, the Reorganization and Orientation Seminar of BADAC was conducted last August 11, 13, and 20, 2010 at the Naga City Youth Center. The seminars featured lectures and inputs from the DILG officials and anti-drugs advocates in Naga City.

Majority of the barangays in the city have already reorganized their respective BADAC’s. A city-wide general assembly of all BADAC members shall be conducted on 28 February 2011.

A representative of the BADAC shall sit as member of the Naga City Dangerous Drugs Board (NCDDB).