Over a hundred young leaders and students nationwide gathered for the 3rd National Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) Convention last April 24 to 28 at the East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City, South Cotabato.
The BKD Convention is a program organized by the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Department of Education which aims to raise awareness about illegal drugs and promote drug prevention strategies among the youth; promote a healthy lifestyle; share leadership experiences and strategies; and strengthen camaraderie, collaboration, cooperation, and solidarity in their common commitment to attain a drug-free lifestyle through capacity-building activities.
Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte commended young learners for their support in the government’s anti-drug campaign.
“You are already making a difference by actively promoting awareness, preventive measures, and intervention initiatives. Drug addiction is a social, economic, and moral burden, as well as a health concern. We must confront this problem with empathy, compassion, and understanding while arming ourselves with determination and bravery to pull our barkada away from the trap of drug addiction,” VP Duterte stated in her message of support.
Meanwhile, DDB Undersecretary Earl P. Saavedra emphasized the importance of prevention education as a pillar of drug demand reduction under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS). “One of the core elements of drug demand reduction is Preventive Education. It is time to rehash the phrase, ‘Preventive Education’, to a more specific and impactful tagline which is ‘Effective Prevention Education’,” Usec. Saavedra said during his opening remarks.
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