THE launching of the Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) here is a sure boost in the Provincial Government’s efforts to eradicate the illegal drug menace in Zamboanga del Sur, Gov. Aurora Cerilles said.
Launched by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the BKD anti-drug campaign aims to utilize peer pressure in enabling students to stay away from drugs and lead productive lives.
BKD is a national program that aims to employ peer pressure in enabling students to live a productive, drug-free life.
DDB officials led by deputy executive director for administration Asec. Rommel Garcia, legal officer Ana Romela Yap and public information officer Ella Marie Dimaculangan visited Pagadian to give their respective messages on BKD as well as orient the participants on the salient provisions of RA 9165.
Garcia talked on the physical, psychological, legal and moral damages cause by illegal drug use, quoting a 2004 survey whjich reported that two-thirds of mental patients are drug users and that more than half of those employed got fired or decreased their productivity due to habitual drug abuse.
He added that still more than 50 percent of jailed persons admit they were into drugs before being arrested and another 70 percent of all crimes today are drug-related.
“We are inviting people like you to join us in the fight against drug abuse because we adhere to the fact that we could not do it alone without the help of the community. Kailangan natin ang bawat isa,” Garcia said.
“Everyone only needs to have a positive mind in the fight against illegal drugs. And I’m sure that with your commitment our province will achieve its drug-free goal,” he added.
Cerilles, in her speech during the program, admitted there were some obstacles at first in containing the proliferation of illegal drugs in the province but because of the unrelenting efforts of fellow provincial and city officials and the support of the community, illegal drug trading was curbed.
She likewise reiterated she received numerous threats because of her aggressive campaign against drugs.
“Ang nahitabong pagpanglugos, kawat, tulis ug pagpatay adunay kalabutan sa ginadiling droga ug dili kita motugot nga ang inyong kaugmaon gun-ubon lamang niining salot sa katilingban,” the governor said.
“It is for this reason that my leadership waged an all-put war against illegal drugs. We need to counter and stop this stubborn enemy. I am confident that if we are united in this cause, we will sin this fight,” she said.
Also, board member Ernesto Mondarte, action officer of Task Force Kontra Droga, who was also present during the activity, commended Cerilles and called her war against illegal drugs “a heroic act and a show of political will.”
In a conversation, Mondarte said the provincial government is making all effort to achieve the promise of making Zamboanga del Sur a drug-free province by 2010.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA