The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) underscored the vital role of the youth in crime prevention, particularly in the anti-drug campaign to maintain peace in the province.
NOPPO planning and operations deputy officer Lt. Stephen Polinar, in a Kapihan sa PIA forum, introduced the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo program that encourages the youth to create a movement to suppress illegal drugs and terrorism.
“We empower the youth what they can do to suppress illegal drugs in their barangay. What are the things they need to do, what they can possibly do to eliminate illegal drugs and inflict terrorism,” said Polinar.
“We also teach the youth what information they need, what they can do if a suspected person is in their area,” he added.
The police officer noted that the fight against illegal drugs is not the sole responsibility of the government or law enforcement, but it is everyone’s concern.
Youth representative Sean Neil Equio, president of the Society of Student Communicators of Negros Oriental State University, said young people can help prevent crime by cooperating with the government in advocating for peace.
“The youth can help by participating in or partnering with the government’s programs and following whatever the city officials provided us,” said Equio.
Equio also cited that social media sometimes is a bad influence for the youth, “but you can prevent this yourself, you know how to put a stop to it.”
He said that young people are particularly susceptible to peer pressure that can lead to criminal behaviour.
“It’s a process, and if you’re not part of the problem, you have to be part of the solution,” added Equio.
Pursuant to Proclamation no. 461 series of 1994, the first week of September is declared as National Crime Prevention Week.
This year’s observance banners the theme “Kabataan Tara Na, Sa Crime Prevention Kaisa Ka!”
In the same forum, National Police Commission provincial officer Atty. Jose Alan Comon explained that this year’s observation aims to develop strategies that would help reduce crime incidence in the country. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)