NCMH spearheads campaign against drug abuse

The National Center for Mental Health with the Department of Helath Office of Special Concerns, in cooperation with the Department of Education and the Group for Addiction Psychiatry in the Philippines launched a drug abuse prevention campaign dubbed Protektado Ako Laban sa Droga on October 8, 2012.

 

Alarming data revealed that substance abuse has been increasing among children and adolescents and has been identified by the WHO as a major risk that can lead to devastating health consequences among adolescents. The use of alcohol and illicit drugs was estimated to contribute 4 percent of the disease burden in the 15-29 years age group in lower and middle income countries (2) and the age of initiation into drug use is declining throughout Asia and the Pacific to as low as 12 years.

 

In the Philippines, based on DDB household survey 2008, age group 10-19 (0.69 percent) ranked 2nd of the most vulnerable group and a random drug testing among high school students in 2005 revealed 0.8 percent prevalence rate compared to 0.5 percent prevalence rate among college students. Another survey done among youth in 2002 revealed that the average onset of smoking and drinking alcohol is 16.1 years old. Another survey also revealed that the reasons for drinking include peer pressure (82 percent), curiosity (17 percent), and desire to look "classy" (5 percent).

 

Thus, the program focuses on protective factors that reduce that risk of drug abuse among the youth, to stop drug abuse even before it starts. These protective factors include personal belief in God; parent religiosity and student-teacher communication as well as healthy interaction with different families, teachers, and peers.  

Designed with the most vulnerable age groups, the program is directed towards students before they go to high school (Grade 6) and high school upper classmen. A nationwide poster making contest, open to 44,000 publics all over the country, capped the program.

 

The contest is divided into three categories - grade 6, third year and fourth year high school. Regional winners were selected from each category. National winners were chosen from the regional winners during the exhibit at NCMH from November 12 to November 19, 2012. The awarding ceremony will be held on December 10, 2012 at the Pag-Asa Hall, NCMH.

 

Press release from the National Center for Mental Health