Family drug abuse prevention program starts

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

The campaign against drug abuse is slowly reaping success as manifested in the case of actor Mark Anthony Fernandez who has recently recovered from the ill-effects of illegal drugs.

In Western Visayas , the Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) will soon be operational after a forum on said project was conducted February 16.

Youth Welfare and Development officer Eduardo L. Guevarra stressed the forum was a strategy to update the stakeholders like the local governments, social workers, non-government organizations and peoples' organizations on the emerging social issues particularly drug prevention.

Guevarra noted the FDAPP is the DSWD's commitment to the drug abuse prevention program of the government. He added that the department will be pilot-testing the project in Iloilo this year.   

FDAPP is a sectoral group organized by the social workers involving the women, youth and elderly, among others. It has also created a family council which raises awareness and intervention of drug addiction.

Other programs related to the FDAPP are Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities (ERPAT), Parents Effectiveness Service (PES), Unlad Kabataan , Family Enrichment Service and Early Childhood Development.   

He also cited that the FDAPP, a community-based program, has been established in Poblacion , Sagay and Punta Taytay , Bacolod in Negros Occidental. Here in Iloilo , there will be one pilot barangay in the seven districts.

Guevarra said the DSWD would evaluate then regulate the project upon orientation of the major stakeholders of the drug abuse situation in the region. He added that this is the thrust and priority of the Social Technology (SOCTECH) Bureau.

Soctech director Alicia S. Bonoan said the bureau would address the need of sectoral groups and response to the prevention of drug abuse especially on children. She added there has been the conduct of sessions on parenting or how to manage the youngsters.  

Likewise, Guevarra said the department would be reviewing the implementing guidelines of the Special Drug Education Center (SDEC), FDAPP, and the Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad (SCALA) which is a project of an NGO named Engineers without Borders of Canada.

He further said that SCALA had already put up an IT Center with 15 computers in Bago and Sagay , Negros Occidental. Guevarra added the said NGO has also plan to install such center here in Iloilo .