MORE THAN 15,000 JOIN 'WALK OF HOPE’ AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

By Leziel C. Aquino

DAGUPAN CITY – More than 15,000 people from different sectors of the society participated in the "Walk of Hope in the Fight Against Drug Abuse" which kicked off the national celebration of the 2014 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week hosted by Dagupan City last November 17.

The crowd composed of local officials, government employees, court workers, employees of different national agencies, Deped Dagupan officials, teachers, students from public and private colleges, universities, high schools, elementary schools, members of barangay councils and balikbayans.

Even members of the Mandaluyong Anti-Drug Abuse Council joined the four-kilometer walk along the Jose R. de Venecia Expressway Extension from the City Plaza to the CSI Stadia where a program was held.

All the participants were jubilant during the walk as they also danced to the tune of the Happy song while on their way to the CSI Stadia.

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Antonio Villar Jr. was surprised to see the big crowd that attended as compared to the ones earlier held in Metro Manila and the National Capital Region in previous years' celebrations of the Drug Abuse and Prevention Week.

“I am really surprised by the huge crowd in Dagupan as compared to crowds in NCR and Manila. This shows that we have plenty of allies in here in our fight against illegal drugs,” Villar said.

Villar also congratulated Mayor Belen T. Fernandez whom he called “the hardworking drug buster” as she was again unanimously chosen by the board members of the DDB as the most outstanding mayor in the entire country for her exemplary performance in battling illegal drugs in the city.

This will be the third time that Fernandez became a recipient of the award.
“Ayaw ko ng Droga sa Dagupan,” said Fernandez as she told the crowd that her administration installed the anti-illegal drugs hotline 0947.377.7777 which receives not less than 100 reports of alleged drug pushers and users weekly.

The mayor also made a surprise announcement that all City Hall employees will undergo random drug testing to make sure that all employees working with the city government are drug-free.

Aside from the anti-drugs hotline, the other programs of the mayor against illegal drugs include: Barkada Kontra Droga, S.A.D. (smoking, alcohol, drugs) Free Campaign, surprise raids and drug clearing operations, revitalization of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, organization of the barangay anti-drug abuse councils, barangay seminars, formulation of barangay watch list, clustering and mapping of every barangay, demand reduction, public education and the establishment of the wellness and rehabilitation desk. (CIO 11/17/14) CIO Photo by Mitz Cresencio