Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian are now pushing a bill that would integrate a drug abuse prevention program in the curriculum of Grades 7 to 12 under the K -12 basic education system.

The senators filed Senate Bill No. 2236 or the proposed Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Basic Education Act, which mandates all public and private basic education institutions to incorporate drug abuse prevention studies in key subjects in basic education.

Gatchalian said it is imperative that students are able to tackle the adverse effets of abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs; preventive measures; health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and economic dimensions of the drug problem.

The senators also believe students should be able to discuss topics like available treatment and rehabilitation and the misconceptions on the use of dangerous drugs.

“Because of the damaging effects brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, like the loss of jobs and livelihood, many of our young people are in danger of being involved in illegal drugs,” said Gatchalian.

“That’s why we want to provide our youth the necessary education in order to save their lives and steer them away from such activities,” said the senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Citing data from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the senators noted that illegal drug abuse cases reached high school level for the years 2017 and 2018, affecting 27.32 percent and 28.14 percent of the population, respectively.

They cited statistics revealing that illegal drugs commonly abused were methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, contact cement or rugby, cannabis or marijuana and ecstasy.

The lawmaker said the figures show that regardless of the level of educational attainment, individuals remain vulnerable to drug abuse.

“Hence, the bill is being introduced to establish a more developed school-based education for drug abuse prevention—a Drug Abuse Prevention Program—in the basic education system,” the senators said in the bill.

The measure mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH), the DDB and other relevant non-government organizations (NGOs) to strengthen the implementation of the program.

These same agencies would also be mandated to work together in crafting policies and providing capacity building and training courses for teachers on drug abuse prevention.

Under the bill, the drug abuse prevention program will be introduced in the Health subject for Grades 7 to 10; Physical Education and Health for Grade 11; and Personal Development for Grade 12.

“Through this bill, demand reduction strategies and strategies to mitigate the negative health and consequences of drug use are sought to be implemented effectively,” the lawmakers stressed.

“The Drug Abuse Prevention Program is a responsive and inclusive program which aims to equip the young generation of Filipinos with critical information and skills on drug abuse prevention—aspiring to safeguard and protect their lives and their future,” the further said.