Last January 26, 2019, the NSTP students of Lourdes College, in partnership with Barangay Bayabas Council of Cagayan de Oro City, conducted a Drug Awareness & Prevention Forum at the Bayabas Barangay Hall.
Hon. Eddie B. Abrogar, the Chairman of Barangay Bayabas, in his opening explained the importance of drug prevention and awareness as a much needed topic in the community at present.
Rosemarie Autor-Bajao, LPT, MPA, the speaker of the forum, is a Public Information Officer III and a member of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The speaker shared her ideas about the various classifications of drugs, both illegal and legal in type. She also discussed the Republic Act NO. 9165 or ‘The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002’. The importance of the law is that is mandates the Dangerous Drug Boards (DDB) to be a policy and strategy-making body that plans and formulates programs on drug prevention and drug control.
Addiction was discussed and defined as a disease and was elaborated by the second speaker, Mr. John Gabriel A. Lasquites, who shared his testimonies. The most helpful and useful parts of the forum are the consequences once engaged in drug activities. These consequences can result in deterioration of social relationships, loss of family’s trust, and even low in performance in both school and workplace.
The third speaker, Belen Mallorca, further discussed that anyone who was engaged in this activity will have no benefits to a good life.
Being aware of the negative effect of drugs is important, equal to that of preventive acts that one can apply in order to avoid being influenced by such.
Addiction to drugs/alcohol can hinder us from a holistic person. This is a reminder to the masses, to the LC Community, and to the locality of the Cagayan de Oro.
(Vinz Villena – Blue Sash Correspondent)