Fun run marks war on drugs in Makati

It’s more fun to run against illegal drugs.

As part of Makati City’s campaign against illegal drugs, more than 500 local government employees, traffic enforcers, policemen and firefighters joined an advocacy run at Makati Park and Garden in West Rembo Saturday morning.

Rehabilitated drug dependents and their families also took part in the 3-kilometer and 5-kilometer races around the park, which were among the highlights of the city’s observance of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.

On Thursday, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay commended the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac) and the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Task Group for the arrest and prosecution of 150 people involved in drug-related cases.

“The hardworking officials and operatives have earned the grateful appreciation of the city government and the people of Makati for their unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs, which has helped in bringing us nearer to the realization of a ‘drug-free Makati,’” Binay said.

Madac had also conducted lectures to more than 10,000 public school students this year on drug abuse prevention, including tips on how to combat drug peddlers preying on minors.

The city’s anti-illegal drug council also conducted random drug tests among employees of private companies and selected schools.

From January to October, Madac tested a total of 1,562 individuals, composed of 419 private employees, 496 Makati policemen, 218 city jail personnel, 345 high school students, and 84 barangay officials. Maricar B. Brizuela