CEBU CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has enlisted at enlisted 600 former drug users to help in the battle against illegal drugs in Central Visayas.
Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7 director Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis, said these Anti-Illegal Drug Advocates (AIDA) members will help various programs that the PRO-7 is initiating to combat illegal drugs.
The drug advocates will help educate the public on the dangers of illegal drugs through symposiums.
AIDA members will also help patrolling albeit with certain limitations, said Pelare.
The drug advocates will also get assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units to ensure that they would return to their old ways.
"What we really intend is to create drug-resistant communities,” Pelare said.
AIDA members went through spiritual and basic training to help make them disciplined individuals, said Pelare.
“All provinces will have contribution. This is only the first batch as this is a continuing program. We will sustain this until such time that drug users, surrenderers will be converted into AIDA,” Pelare added.