Pubdate: Mon, 14 Feb 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

LGUS, YOUTH TO LAUNCH ANTI-DRUG ABUSE COUNCIL
IN MAKATI CITY

At least 5,000 students and local government officials will gather in 
Makati City today for the launching of the Metro-Manila Anti-Drug Abuse 
Council (MEMDA).

Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon, head of the police Anti-Illegal 
Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF), said the gathering would 
educate the youth on drug prevention.

"The students and young people will be taught how to say no to illegal 
drugs and will use the occassion to educate them on the drug problem," De 
Leon said in an interview.

According to De Leon, the students, youth groups and local government units 
(LGUs) will play key roles in attaining the country's goal of a "drug-free 
Philippines by 2010."

The AID-SOTF chief said the Arroyo administion has neutralized 29 shabu 
laboratories and warehouses and confiscated P27 billion worth of raw 
materials and equipment used to manufacture shabu since 2003.

"We attained great strides in the illegal drugs supply side and we are now 
intensifying our effort to reduce the demand side and this gathering is one 
of the projects we are embarking this year," said De Leon.

During the gathering, De Leon will accept suggestions from students on how 
to reduce the demand for illegal drugs not only in the streets but also in 
campuses.

De Leon said MEMDA would be a union of all anti-drug councils in Metro 
Manila. It will draft plans to assist the government in the fight against 
illegal drugs.

The AID-SOTF said MEMDA's launching was set in Makati City as it is the 
seat of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), the government's "best 
model" in the fight against illegal drugs.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and MADAC chairman Vice Mayor Ernesto 
Mercado will present the city's successful anti-drug campaign strategies.

De Leon admitted that MADAC, so far, is the most successful in the country 
and he enjoins other urban centers to duplicate its strategies and 
operation plan.
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