In today’s Policy and Research Forum Series on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control for the 2nd Quarter, education professionals and program implementers joined the Dangerous Drugs Board in discussing the Special Drugs Education Centers’ (SDEC) program plans, implementation successes, and areas for improvement, aiming to shape future directions for the SDEC in preventing drug abuse among Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and Children in Street Situations (CISS).

Mr. Kevin Bumagat, presenter at the policy forum from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), emphasized that SDEC aims to implement comprehensive drug abuse prevention programs. Its objectives include educating on the harmful effects of substance abuse, and empowering OSY and CISS, and their families to manage vulnerability to drug and substance abuse. Additionally, SDEC advocates for local legislation and policies supporting its initiatives, establishes strong linkages among key sectors, and maintains data systems of the target beneficiaries for effective implementation.

During the research forum, Ms. Ariane Joy Coronel from the National Youth Commission (NYC) provided an insightful analysis of SDEC’s effectiveness, outlining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Her presentation integrated perspectives from stakeholders and implementing units, offering a thorough evaluation of the policy’s impact.

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