By Paulo Loreto Lim

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) executive director Maria Belen Angelita Matibag spoke in Bacolod City yesterday in observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).
In her speech, she discussed one of the national government’s recent projects in combatting the scourge of illegal drugs, “REHABiNASYON.”
Describing the name of the program as a combination of the words “rehabilitation” and “nation,” she said, “The entire government takes on a single voice of hope towards the realization of a drug-free nation.”
Matibag pointed out the program is comprised of three parts, “#RealNumbers, #RealSolutions, and #RealStories,” and explained initiatives including information dissemination, treatment and rehabilitation, and alternative development are all a part of the process.
She also made a plea to families, urging them to recognize the problem and to ensure positive influences are also provided to the nation’s youth.
“To our parents, you have the most influence in helping your children grow happy and learn to cope well in difficult life situations,” said the DDB chief. “It is important for us to create a strong bond between our children and this bond can be built by listening to them and showing them we care.”
“This strong bond will protect our children from risky and harmful behaviors including drug use,” she added.
Matibag also called on young people to be vigilant, noting, “The youth also have the capacity to rise up against the drug menace.”
IDADAIT was established in 1987 by the United Nations General Assembly.
The theme for 2017 is “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe,” aimed at increasing support for drug prevention based on science, with a goal of promoting the well-being of children and their families./WDJ