Pangasinan youth tapped for anti-illegal drug drive

MALASIQUI: Youth groups in Pangasinan, headed by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Provincial Federation and the Pangasinan Youth Development Council (PYDC), have been tapped to help the government in its fight against illegal drugs. Angelo Tejoso, officer of the PYDC, in an interview on Tuesday, said they have started empowering young people, especially the leaders, through dialogues that will make them aware of their role in the campaign against illegal drugs. 'Bago sugpuin ang problema ay inempower muna ang mga kabataan sa mga dialogue kasi hindi sila aware na kasama sila sa Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC). Ang unang ginagawa ng PYDC at SK Federation ay iinform ang mga kabataan na included po tayo sa mga council sa mga barangay para sugpuin ang mga drug cases (Before we could solve the problem, we need to empower first the young people through dialogues since they are not aware that they are part of the BADAC. What we do at PYDC and the SK Federation is first inform the youth that they are included in the anti-drug council in their barangays),' he said. Tejoso said aside from participating in sporting events, the youth can also volunteer for the government's anti-drug campaign. 'Please bear in mind that there are also youth groups who are concerned about your welfare and we can seek help from the government and most of all from God. Go back to God if you may have strayed and He will guide you,' he said in Filipino addressing his fellow young people. He said the PYDC and the Pangasinan SK Federation have committed to align their programs and projects in the anti-drug campaign based on the shared reports of various stakeholders that took part in the Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program in the province on May 4. As part of the program, a fun run - participated in by over 5,000 Pangasinenses - was held to promote a healthy lifestyle among the youth and encourage healthy interaction among them. Aside from discussing the effects of illegal drugs on the body, Interior Local Government Secretary Be njamin Abalos Jr., in a speech during the activity, also cited the various anti-illegal drug programs of the government. He also cited the importance of guidance from parents or guardians, the academe, and the community in the war against illegal drugs. 'Habang hinuhuli ang mga nagsusupply, ang mga gumagamit ay proteksyunan at magkaroon ng programa para sa mga kabataan para huwag silang gumamit. Kaya 'yon ang ginagawa naming ngayon minimeeting lahat ng mga magulang, SK, eskwelahan, para magkaroon sila program na iiwas ang mga bata sa droga (While we go after those who supply illegal drugs, we should protect those who could be lured into drug use. There should also be programs to discourage them from taking illegal drugs. That is what we are doing, meeting with the parents, SK, and schools so they could also have programs to veer the youth away from drugs),' he said. Source: Philippines News Agency