Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week

Dennis Ingal Guevarra

PURSUANT to Presidential Proclamation No. 124 issued on November 26, 2001 titled “Declaring the 3rd Week of November of Every Year as Drug Abuse Prevention and Control {DAPC} Week”, the 2020 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week was celebrated from November 15 to 21, 2020.

It has for a theme “Better Knowledge for Better Care,” according to the Department of Education.

This year's theme, DepEd said, aims to improve the understanding of the world's drug problem and how, in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.

In DepEd Memorandum No. 076 series of 2020 issued to Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Minister, Basic, Higher and Technical Education, BARMM, Bureau and Service Directors, Regional Directors, Schools Division Superintendents, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Head and All Others Concerned, it stated that all DepEd offices and schools were enjoined to get involved in its social media campaign to make people aware of the dangers posed by drug abuse.

According to the memo, DepEd offices were also urged to conceptualize creative activities for learners and their families utilizing online and other platforms that are accessible to learners who will be staying in their homes during the period of the campaign.

The regional and schools division offices and schools were likewise encouraged to conduct appropriate, relevant and related activities in partnership with local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, taking into considerations the compliance with the DepEd Required Health Standards due to the current situation brought about by COVID-19 Pandemic.

Meanwhile, a brief narrative and pictorial report on the observance of DAPC Week shall be incorporated in the consolidated OK sa DepEd progress and accomplishment reports for submission on or before December 15, 2020.

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The author is Teacher III at San Pablo Elementary School