By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) - - The
government thru the National Youth Commission (NYC) taps the youth for efforts
to zero-in on drug abuse prevention and control.
With
the intention of intensifying youth empowerment against substance abuse, NYC
conducted series of “National Youth Caravan on Drug Abuse Prevention (NYCDAP),”
in 7 areas (Metro Manila and 6 cities) of the country.
With Zamboanga as its last leg of destination,
the said caravan was successfully conducted here recently with the overwhelming
participation of more than 200 youth groups and leaders from various colleges
and high schools in the city.
Raymond Domingo, Regional Head-NYC, said the
caravan primarily aims to impart the ill effects of substance abuse and to
highlight the best practices of youth groups and networks in the intensified
campaigns to combat drug dependence.
During the whole day NYCDAP, the participants
established a pact through a (signed) Manifesto and launched a Drug Free Youth
Freedom Wall (DFYFW).
The DFYFW showcases the commitment of the
youth-participants in the objective to increase vigilance against drug pushers
and drug sniffers and to manifest their involvement in local efforts to spread
“awareness virus” among the vulnerable groups of young people in their
respective communities.
Assistant Secretary Jed Eva, from the Office of the Executive
Secretary, Malacañang, in his message to the youth during the caravan said “it
is not enough to do no wrong; one must right the wrong around us. We are our
brothers’ keepers,”
(JPA/PIA9)