Anti-drug abuse councils undergoing performance audit

The government has started auditing the performances of all provincial, city and municipal anti-drug abuse councils (ADACs) , the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said over the weekend.

The audit covers 81 provincial, 145 city and 1,489 municipal ADACs as prescribed by the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), Danger- ous Drugs Board (DDB) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), according to DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año.

He said two of the main functions of ADACs are the establishment of communitybased rehabilitation services and conduct of drug clearing operations.

“The campaign against illegal drugs is a not just President Duterte’s fight or of the DILG, PNP, DDB and PDEA. It’s everyone’s fight, that’s why we involved the local governments in this campaign,” Año said.

In a memorandum circular, the DILG said the audit would be based on criteria such as best organized local ADAC, conduct of quarterly meetings, allocation of funds for the implementation of anti-drug activities, implementation of ADAC plans and programs, support to ADACs by component local government units and innovations.

The DILG team is working with the PNP, PDEA, and civil society organizations from the regional, provincial and national offices in auditing the performances of the anti-drug councils.

It partnered with the DDB in fast-tracking the campaign against illegal drugs in communities by providing training and orientation for ADAC officers and personnel.