Inclusion of drug abuse prevention in school curriculum sought

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – First-time congressman Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher de Venecia is asking the education department to include drug abuse prevention in the school curriculum, adding that arts and sports are effective ways to keep youngsters away from drugs.

Venecia, son of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia and former Rep. Gina de Venecia, told teachers in Mangaldan National High School Friday, while celebrating World Teachers’ Day, that he had discussed the matter with Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

He said he had presented to Briones measures, based on his consultations with experts and his constituents, to address the country’s problem on illegal drugs.

De Venecia said it has become public knowledge that drug problem is the toughest crisis the country is facing today.

The newbie lawmaker called on people’s support for President Duterte to succeed in his all-out war on illegal drugs.

He said it would be good for the academe to focus on its prevention, quoting United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as saying: “The simplest and most cost-effective way to lower the human and societal costs of drug abuse is to prevent it in the first place.”

De Venecia said addiction must be de-stigmatized, as it is a health problem. He sought public cooperation in correcting the wrong impression that drug addicts are criminals.

“It’s true they commit mistakes, when their condition gets worse, but let us not call them as plague of society because they are also victims, and they need our help and not our judgment,” he pointed out.

“As they say, nip it in the bud. Young as they are, the youth must be taught proper values formation,” he said.

De Venecia added that he also asked Briones to reinvigorate sports as well as culture and arts in schools.

He said he has talked to various agencies like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Sports Commission for thorough training of teachers on sports and arts so these would be further implemented in schools.

“In my opinion, this is important because culture gives us our personal identity as Filipinos,” de Venecia said. “It fortifies our love of country. It is also a tool for nation building. Arts is equally important because it brings meaning and purpose to our lives, and teaches us to be creative.”

De Venecia said sports bring honor to the country. He mentioned that Mangaldan, which is under his district, was known as the cradle of biking champions like Jesus Garcia Jr., who twice topped the Tour of Luzon.

Garcia’s neighbor in Pangasinan’s Barangay Buenlag, Samson Cariño, also topped the Philippine Industrial Commercial Cycling Association Tour in 1975, while   his younger brother Ruben Cariño emerged as champion in the 1984 Marlboro Tour.

Cesar Catambay, also from Mangaldan, captured second place in the 1973 and 1974 Tour of Luzon and in the Marlboro Tour in 1983.

“I hope we could bring back the golden age of biking in our town,” de Venecia said.