Despite the absence of face-to-face classes this school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) is ensuring that students are aware of the dangers of using illegal drugs.
DepEd celebrated the 2020 Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week from Nov. 15 to 21 in line with its efforts to strengthen the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
As part of the DAPC Week celebration, all DepEd offices and schools were encouraged to conduct appropriate, relevant, and related activities for learners and their families about the campaign on the dangers posed by drug abuse through online and other platforms accessible to the students.
With the theme, “Better Knowledge for Better Care,” the DAPC week aimed “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.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the President (OP), through the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), in collaboration with the DepEd-Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), announced the National Winners of the Search for Outstanding Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) Implementers in Secondary Schools for School Year 2018-2019.
The winners were Sto. Niño National High School-Region XII-South Cotabato (Hall of Fame); Ozamiz City National High School- Region X-Ozamiz City (second place); Agusan del Sur National High School-Caraga region-Agusan del Sur (third place); Cabacungan National High School-Region VIII-Leyte (fourth Place); and Dumangas National High School-Region VI-Iloilo (fifth place).
DepEd said that due to the current situation brought by the COVID-19, the cash prize and plaque of recognition of the winners will be given directly to the schools.
The search for the Outstanding BKD implementers aims to strengthen the National Drug Education Program, develop skills and understanding among learners and school personnel in initiating active responses for a drug-free school, support and sustain the services in the Barkada-adopted concepts, and identify the best practices of different BKD chapters.