Bohol 3rd District Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor is batting for the approval of the Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign and Research (AIDCARE) Fund, which she believes could help the government intensify its nationwide education and awareness program on illegal drugs.
"It is necessary and very timely that we establish a holistic approach to strengthen the country's drive against illegal drugs," Tutor said, citing data from drug enforcement authorities estimating an increase of 7 to 8 million drug users in the country as she seeks the passage of AIDCARE through House Bill No. 6781, which mandates the Department of Education to create a National Education and Awareness Program on Illegal Drugs and include it either in the K to 13 curriculum or institute it as a regular or frequent co-curricular activity or event in all public schools and covering all levels of basic education.
Tutor said her bill also seeks to implement a mandatory training for local government unit (LGU) personnel involved with the enforcement, research, and policymaking on illegal drugs.
"It also seeks to establish a national helpline for drug abusers, and to create a public registry of drug dealers, pushers, and traffickers," she added.
Tutor is hoping for the inclusion of AIDCARE under the annual budgets of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA).
The fund will be exclusively used for the following: National Education and Awareness Strategy on Illegal Drugs; Mandatory Training for LGU Personnel involved with the enforcement, research, and policymaking on illegal drugs and other related substance of abuse; Nationwide Study on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse; National Helpline for Drug Abusers; and Public Registry of Drug Dealers, Pushers, and Traffickers.
Under the bill, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is tasked to determine the amount of the National AIDCARE Fund, in coordination with the DILG, DepEd, PDEA, and DDB.
HB 6781 tasks the DILG to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act within 60 days upon its approval.