Campaigns and Advocacies

Published: 21 May 2013

Broadening Campaigns and Strengthening Advocates

Community outreach programs and advocacy programs are constantly conducted in different key
settings such as schools, communities, and workplaces. During these activities, members of the DDB staff
serve as resource speakers orienting the participants on the countrys drug abuse problem, the ill effects
of drug abuse and the legal consequences of being involved in illegal drugs activities.

Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD, Peer Groups Against Drugs)

As an effective peer-based preventive education and information program to counter the dangers and ill
effects of drug abuse, the Board has institutionalized the BKD program in order to enlist the participation
of more in and out-of school youth, and eventually organize them into a movement of young people who
are catalysts within their peer groups in advocating a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

As of this year, there are 50, 277 BKD members from 251 chapters nationwide. The DDB has also
launched the Nationwide Search for the Best BKD Program.

National Youth Congress on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control

This annual three-day live in Congress is designed to provide an open and comfortable atmosphere for
fun, real work and innovative strategic planning to address the drug problem in the respective localities
of the youth participants. A team of anti-drug advocates and facilitators provide participants the
opportunity for positive discussions/dialogues, structured learning activities, workshops, and inputs. The
team approach is employed throughout the congress to foster teamwork, learning, camaraderie and
harmonious relationship of youth delegates.
In 2012, 195 participants from different organizations nationwide who attended the 20th Youth Congress
held in Dagupan City, duly hosted by the Local Government Unit of Dagupan, were added to the 2,735
youth leaders who have participated in the training since 2002.

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (DARE) is being enhanced to complement the
implementation of NDEP. DARE offers a variety of activity-oriented techniques which are designed to
encourage student-generated responses to problem-solving situations, specifically on drug abuse. This is
being implemented in collaboration with the Philippine National Police.

Since 2010 to 2012, 156 DARE Police Officers have been trained and have already conducted classroom
teaching among grades five and six pupils in various public elementary schools.

Kids Against Drugs Program

To bring the anti-drug advocacy to the children, the DDB participates in the annual celebration of the
Childrens Month every October. The DDB conducts the Kids Against Drugs program, a primary
prevention activity that aims to inculcate the skills of Saying No to children as a firm foundation for
preventive education.

922 children have been reached-out to since this programs implementation in 2006.

National Drug Education Program (NDEP)

This program which is currently implemented in elementary and secondary schools, in cooperation with
DDB-member agency DepEd, entails five components curriculum and instruction, co-curricular and
ancillary services, teacher and staff development, parent education and community outreach, and
research, evaluation and monitoring which is comprehensive in nature and provides a holistic approach
to the problem of drug abuse. It was designed to enable all sectors to work collaboratively, with the
school system as the core, thereby, unifying all sectoral endeavors.
240 school administrators, guidance counselors, school-based health officers and teachers have attended
several trainings held on NDEP facilitation and implementation nationwide.

Drug Abuse Prevention Program for the Transport Groups

This is a primary prevention activity involving the public transport groups designed to ensure the safety,
well-being of the commuters and pedestrians by having drug-free transport personnel. Cooperating
agencies are the DDB, DOLE, DOH, PDEA, LTFRB, LTO, and the Philippine Global Road Safety. It seeks to
reduce the incidence of drug related vehicular accidents, promote public order and safety on the streets;
and organize anti-drug patrol among drivers and other transport personnel.

Since its implementation in 2011, the DDB has been able to mobilize 288 members of the transport
sector.

Nationwide Caravan of Youth Against Drugs

This new advocacy program, done in partnership with DDB-member agency National Youth Commission
aims to intensify youth empowerment efforts to zero-in on drug abuse. Project coverage includes six (6)
key cities of the country namely: Metro Manila, Davao, Cebu, Zamboanga, Naga, Cagayan De Oro, and
Baguio City.

The caravan has enjoined at least 1,400 youth from various communities, organizations and academic
institutions into the anti-drug abuse advocacy. It also aims to impart the ill-effects of substance abuse
and dependence and to highlight best practices of youth groups and networks in the intensified
campaigns and initiatives in combating drug dependence.