SEARCH NOW ON FOR OUTSTANDING BARKADA KONTRA DROGA IMPLEMENTERS

MARISSA Q. ROXAS

The Office of the President, through the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), in collaboration with the Department of the Education through the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), will conduct the Search for the Outstanding Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) Program Implementers in Secondary Schools for School Year (SY) 2017-2018.

The search aims to strengthen the National Drug Education Program through the BKD movement established in the schools, and develop the skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses fora drug-free school.

Likewise, it aims to increase community awareness and participation, hence maintaining a fully drug-free environment in the school, home, workplace, and community.

It also aims to support and sustain the services in the Barkada-adopted concepts among educators, professionals, families, work forces, peer groups and other sectors, and identify best practices of the different BKD chapters which will serve as models for other schools to implement.

Earlier, a series of launching seminars was conducted as a preventive education and information program and has evolved into a nationwide “Barkadahan” concept – a collective action among the students and youth in the community that would strengthen camaraderie, collaboration, cooperation, solidarity and linkages in their commitment to attain a drug-free lifestyle.

Alternative activities were undertaken after the launching of the program in the different schools and in the communities like poster/ slogan contest, essay writing among others.

All secondary schools with organized and functional BKD chapters are encouraged to join the search, the DepEd said.

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The author is Principal III at Duquit High School