Symposium about Illegal Drugs and its Effect on Iram Elementary School Students

January 20, 2023, at about 9:00 AM

No two people with substance use disorders are exactly alike. To promote lasting recovery, treatment plans must address the underlying issues contributing to addiction. This could include providing job skills training, affordable housing resources, or access to community-based assistance programs for low-income individuals in addiction to detox and substance abuse counseling.

St. Joseph Institute helps clients move toward a future free from addiction by working to heal the mind, body, and spirit. With personalized care, you can regain control of your life.[1]

A symposium on Project MADZ (Maintaining an Active Development with Zest-an advocacy campaign for a drug-free school) of the National Drug Education Program was held in Iram Elementary School in New Cabalan, Olongapo City. The Olongapo City Police Office and the Police Community Relations Officers of the various police stations in Olongapo City led the symposium. I attended the seminar and participated in the event's discussion and observation. This symposium aims to educate pupils on the dangers of using illegal drugs. It is essential to consider how negatively it will impact your future and the community, particularly your own family.

As I shared my experiences with the children, I told them I was once a child just like them and had big dreams. I told them that at their age, they must have a guide or a simple plan, that they must aim to have a pathway to success, and that they must refrain from wrongdoings because if they want to reach their dreams, they must always strive to do good and continue a straight path to success.

“The schools are setting for prevention; remember that the family remains the most important protective factor. The most important role of the parents, the responsible adults, teachers, and prevention advocates is to be good role models for our young people,” Health Education professor and ASEAN Director for Training Center for Preventive Drug Education Francis Grace H. Duka-Pante addressed. [2]

Educating students in the Philippines about drugs is essential for preventing drug usage and promoting a healthy way of life. It includes educating pupils on the effects of drugs on the body, the risks and consequences of drug use, and the significance of making informed decisions regarding drug usage. It is often included in health education classes, and supplementary community-based programs and efforts might help address the issue. In addition, students should be encouraged to seek help if they or someone they know is battling substance misuse. This applies both to the student and to the person they know.

Abuse of illegal substances among young people in the Philippines is a significant problem that has become a source of increasing worry in recent years. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), most drug users in the country are young people ranging from 10 to 45 years old. The PDEA found that this demographic made up the majority of drug users in the country. Marijuana, shabu (crystal methamphetamine), and inhalants are abused most frequently by young people in the Philippines.

Peer pressure, a lack of parental supervision, economic hardship, and the easy availability of drugs are all factors that contribute to the problem of drug misuse among young people in the Philippines. The government of the Philippines has responded to the issue by enacting several programs and initiatives, such as drug education campaigns, community-based rehabilitation programs, and stricter law enforcement against drug trafficking. These programs and initiatives are all intended to address the issue. However, additional efforts are required to tackle this problem and safeguard young people from the negative impacts associated with drug usage.

-CDTBIGS45

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[1] Bennett, C. (2013, June 25). Low self-esteem; is a disposition that can lead to addiction. Psychology Today. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/heartache-hope/201306/low-self-esteema-disposition-can-lead-addiction

[2] DepEd conducts second webinar series on battling substance abuse amidst distance learning | Department of Education. (n.d.). DepEd Conducts Second Webinar Series on Battling Substance Abuse Amidst Distance Learning | Department of Education. https://www.deped.gov.ph/2021/07/20/deped-conducts-second-webinar-series-on-battling-substance-abuse-amidst-distance-learning/