PRO-6 starts DARE program to teach school kids on drugs

CEBU, Philippines — With the Philippine National Police (PNP) sidelined from the fight against illegal drugs, which has been a supply reduction campaign, the Police Regional Office-6 has moved into strengthening its anti-drug advocacy on the demand-reduction side, and directly to the young school children.

Yesterday, the PRO-6 entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the relaunching of the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in all schools in Western Visayas.

Signing for the PRO-6 was its Regional Director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag. The other signatories were:

Department of Interior and Local Government-6 Director Anthony Nuyda, Department of Education-6 OIC Director Gemma Ledesma, Commission on Higher Education-6 Director Cesar Medina, Bless Our COPS Movement Inc. Regional Director Pastor Joel Degillo, and Battle Against Drugs Regional Coordinator Reverend Danny Bornales.

The DARE program was established in the United States and brought to the Philippines by then president Joseph Estrada during his tenure as vice president. At its core is the objective of teaching elementary level students how to say “no” to drugs by educating them on the ill effects of these illegal substances.

Locally, in line with the thrust of our government to fierce war against illegal drugs and other harmful substances, the police, in coordination with the Dangerous Drugs Board and the DepEd, shall adopt and reactivate the DARE program.

As such, the police will introduce reforms, operational set-up, policies, system and priorities that will make the program be institutionalized for the protection from the scourge of illegal drugs use in compliance with the drug demand reduction strategy.

Ultimately, Binag said they wanted one thing: To help bring about a drug-free environment for the children. With other government agencies and NGOs, "our mission is to teach the children how to say no to all pressures to experimenting on harmful substances and enable them to be effective models for their peer group," he added.

PRO-6 Spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero said the DARE Program is unique in its thrust of prevention instead of rehabilitation. In doing so, the PNP shall increase its police visibility, he said.

Gorero said one of the objectives of the program is for the PNP DARE officers to be visible in their school assignments and will teach the lesson in complete uniform. "This makes the students feel that they are safe with the presence of their police instructors."

Gorero said the mere presence of DARE officers in school communities will prevent the occurrence of crimes. "They will also teach the students about their personal safety, their basic rights and responsibilities, and how to make a wise decision in a risky behavior," he said.

The DARE program would help prevent the use of illegal drugs and other harmful substances. "Crime statistics shows that when Project Double Barrel was implemented, the crime volume was reduced. Hence, teaching this program to our students will educate them about the necessary skills to recognize and resist the pressure to use illegal drugs," Gorero said.

Also, it is the program's objective to reduce violence and prevent the presence of gang members and fraternity wars in schools, he said, adding that it is also another way of enhancing the image of the entire police organization. (FREEMAN)