In line with the Drug Prevention and Control Week (DAPC), the University Student Discipline Formation Office (SDFO) organized lectures which featured officials from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and DLSU’s Office of Counseling and Career Services (OCCS) at the Tereso Lara Seminar Room on November 13.
Drugs and the law
Information Officer from Preventive Education, Training and Information Section of the DDB Liane Angelica Kalacas related the government’s response to address the drug problems being faced by the country. According to Kalacas, men are more prone to drug addiction than women, with a ratio of 13:1. Additionally, the most common illegal drugs possessed by addicts are methamphetamine hydrochloride (commonly known as shabu), and cannabis (also known as marijuana). Kalacas stressed that possessing and consuming illegal drugs is always the person’s choice; however, she said that the DDB is always ready to help those who are addicted to drugs.
On the other hand, DDB Deputy Executive Director for Operations Assistant Secretary Benjamin P. Reyes discussed the different kinds of drugs, such as stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and inhalants, and the effects they had on people if consumed too much. He also shed light on the signs and symptoms of recent drug use, which include a sense of euphoria, increased blood pressure and heart rate, having red eyes, dry mouth, and poor coordination. Reyes says that the effects of drugs seem “good” at first because it makes the person feel light. However, the long-term effects are worse since the person can become drug-dependent, depressed, and drained, he said.
Meanwhile, DDB’s Chief of Legal Affairs Division Atty. Philip Josef Vera Cruz focused more on the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which according to him, aims to safeguard Filipinos, especially the youth from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs. He talked about the punishments allotted for possessing, consuming, and selling illegal drugs. “Ignorance of the law does not exempt you from the law,” he stated, encouraging the youth to stay away from drugs to avoid being persecuted by law enforcers.
Social, emotional, mental states
OCCS Director Dr. Susana Estanislao took on a different perspective on dangerous drugs during the program. Focusing on the social, emotional, and mental state of those who are addicted to drugs, Dr. Estanislao stressed that proper guidance of the youth by their parents and guardians is necessary. The youth becomes more vulnerable to depression, self-esteem and socio-emotional problems if they were the only ones to look after themselves, she explained.
Moreover, youth who only rely on themselves are more prone to taking drugs because there is no authority figure to stop them. Therefore, Dr. Estanislao encouraged the audience to take extra care and understanding for drug dependents, while at the same time explained that people cannot blame others for what they do because the decision to consume drugs or not is still a personal choice.
At the end of the session, all the members of the Lasallian community present at the lecture pledged to be an official member of Barkada Kontra Droga to help DDB’s campaign of steering the youth away from illegal and dangerous drugs.
