CEBU CITY, Cebu, May 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 7 in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to strengthen their programs against illegal drugs in the region.
PDEA Information Officer III Lei Alcantara disclosed during the Kapihan sa PIA program held May 24 that as of April 14, 2023, a total of 1,531 out of 3,003 barangays in Region 7 are already declared drug-cleared.
Alcantara added that there are still 1,356 drug-affected barangays in Central Visayas.
Drug-affected barangays are areas that have reported and validated the presence of Person Who Used Drugs (PWUDs), pushers, drug den maintainer, coddler, protector, financier, cultivator, manufacturer, and others.
Drug-cleared Barangay refers to a barangay that is previously classified as drug-affected and underwent Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) and declared as drug-cleared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC).
BDCP is the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the drug problem with the aim of attaining resilient and self-policing communities by enlisting the participation of local government units, government agencies, and various stakeholders.
It is a holistic approach to address both demand reduction and supply reduction.
Alcantara also confirmed that the joint operations with the PNP for the first five months of the year resulted in the confiscation of more than P160 million worth of drugs.
Major Rey Delos Santos, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division of PRO7, added that as of Jan. 1 to May 22, 2023, over P401 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated by the PNP while 3,216 drug personalities were arrested.
PNP has also revitalized their anti-illegal drugs programs like the KASIMBAYANAN and KKDAT, he added.
KASIMBAYANAN or “Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan” aims to unify the PNP, church, and communities to attain peace and order in communities.
KKDAT or Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo is a youth organization desgined to mobilize the Filipino youth as the government's partners in the fight against illegal drugs and terrorism.
Symposiums and sports development activities are ongoing projects also conducted by the PNP.
In the same program, PDEA Dangerous Drugs Regulation Officer Juvelyn Juntilla explained PDEA’s role on the regulations of controlled substances and controlled chemicals within the country.
Apart from drug seizures and operations, PDEA handles the licensing of pharmacies and corporations, including doctors, in using and administering controlled substances and chemicals.
Both agencies said they will strengthen their anti-drug abuse program by going down to the barangay and by educating students on the consequences of using and pushing illegal drugs. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
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