Makati sets antidrug forums with local execs

The Makati City government through its antidrug abuse council has launched a series of open forum-style dialogues with barangay (village) officials and residents to boost its advocacy for a drug-free city.

According to Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, the dialogues dubbed as “Ugnayan Sa Mga Barangay” are aimed at encouraging everyone’s active participation in the citywide campaign against illegal drugs, a crucial component in monitoring and curbing drug-related crimes.

“Through these dialogues, we will update our constituents on relevant initiatives and services offered by the city and encourage their support.  We also hope to obtain their inputs to come up with innovative strategies to address prevailing issues that may arise from or cause the proliferation of illegal drugs in their respective communities,” Binay said in a statement.

The forum kicked off on April 4 at the covered court of Barangay Palanan and was attended by the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac) personnel and other key city officials.

Among the topics discussed were the specific roles of the Makati police and Madac units and their personnel in the antidrug campaign.

On the other hand, the preventive education training and information dissemination division of Madac conducted lectures on how residents can spot a drug addict and how they can avail of affordable rehabilitative therapy for drug dependents and counseling services administered by the treatment and aftercare division.

Aside from the city’s programs on drug abuse control and prevention, other issues related to the drug menace were also taken up, including those concerning minors or young adults.

The Madac council members represented in the forums included the school division superintendent of the Department of Education-Makati, Makati police chief and city social welfare officer.