MANILA, (PNA) — There is no doubt the youth would be too busy preoccupied with positive activities to even have time to participate is risky behavior such as drugs.
This, according to Dept. of Health-National Capital Regional (DOH-NCR) director, Dr. Eduardo Janairo was one important detail the youth had to bear in mind.
There are currently 1,718,855 users of illegal drugs and substances in the country from ages 10 to 60 years old, according to the 2008 Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
Leading drugs and substances that are used are methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), cannabis (marijuana, brownies, seeds, Hashish), and inhalants (contact cement or rugby).
The average age of a confirmed user is 17 years old as reported by the DOH in a 2009 study conducted in Metro Manila while the substance of choice is marijuana.
“As health providers we need to provide our youths with the emotional support they need and be the best role model they can look up to,” Janairo said in a statement.
“The prevention of drug abuse among youth is a struggle but providing them opportunities for leadership, including teaching younger children or other peers about drug use prevention will make it easier to accomplish,” he added.
Recently, the DOH-NCR conducted a Lakbay Aral Kontra Droga at the DOH-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Bicutan to youth leaders of Metro Manila.
Janairo said that this was part of the agency’s health education and advocacy campaign against the trafficking and use of illegal drugs and substances.
He noted that lakbay aral will show the youth actual effects of drugs to a person and how long it will take to recover from drug addiction by presenting to them drug patients in the rehab center.
“They will have the valuable opportunity to interact up close and personal with drug users and abusers who can share their dismal experiences so that they may not be emulated by future generations,” Janairo said.
The DOH-TRC located in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan is the biggest rehabilitation center in the country which caters to thousands of drug dependents nationwide.
This include abusing street children which are housed in the Bahay Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center, also located within the TRC compound.
The center is classified as a Special Hospital, that is, a drug treatment, training and research facility under the Department of Health, and duly accredited by the same.