Bacolod city: A member of the City Council here is pushing for the strengthened implementation of Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) program in schools amid the alarming reports of illegal drug activities involving students.

According to Philippines News Agency, Councilor Israel Salanga, who chairs the City Council's committee on social services and development, emphasized the urgent need to address this issue to prevent students from engaging in illicit drugs. Salanga stated, 'With the situation now that illegal drugs are reported even in school campuses, we should not wait. Prevention is better than cure. At a young age, children need guidance.'

The BKD, institutionalized by the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 5, series of 2007, is an integral component of the National Drug Education Program in schools, providing a holistic approach to the drug abuse problem. Salanga expressed concern following the arrest of a 21-year-old male Grade 11 student, who was found with about 300 grams of shabu worth PHP2.04 million during a buy-bust operation at Purok Nami-Nami, Barangay Banago.

Salanga, reflecting on his time as the president of BKD-Bacolod Chapter during his student days, plans to coordinate with the Department of Education Bacolod City Schools Division to discuss anti-drug awareness programs. He mentioned plans to gather BKD school chapter presidents for a training seminar to directly bring the advocacy to school campuses.

He also encouraged parents to involve their children in the BKD to advocate against illegal drugs. Salanga highlighted the objective to strengthen the anti-drug campaign at the school level in collaboration with the City of Bacolod, under Mayor Greg Gasataya's administration, alongside the Department of Social Services and Development, Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Bacolod, Dangerous Drugs Board, and Department of Education.