The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)Region XIII – Caraga is one with all the LGUs in the region in the observance of the "Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week Celebration" from November 13-19, 2022 with the theme: "Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises”.

DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III leads the Pledge of Commitment of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week on November 16, 2022 at Dottie’s Place and Restaurant, Butuan City during the Rollout Training to Local Training Teams for Strengthening Institutional Capacities of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (SICAP-BADAC) +. The SICAP-BADAC Training Teams are composed of composite members from DILG, Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Officers and Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Local Social Welfare and Development Officers (LSWDOs), Provincial / City / Municipal Health Officers, Department of Education (DepEd) Representatives and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 124, the third week of November of every year is declared as Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week (DAPC). This is reinforced by DILG’s Memorandum Circular No. 2018-202 dated November 15, 2018 entitled: “Observance of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week”. The Memorandum Circular is issued to provide guidance to local government units on the conduct of activities in observance of the DAPC Week as proof that the whole nation is serious in intensifying its information, education and communication campaigns against drug abuse.

For this year, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) are encouraging the national government agencies, international organization, civil society organizations (CSOs), local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders to take urgent action to protect the most vulnerable sectors which include children and youth, persons who use drugs (PWUDs), people with drug use disorders, and people who need access to controlled medicines by strengthening drug use prevention, control and treatment and anti-drug supple reduction to achieve a society free of drug abuse.

DAPC Week celebration strengthens the role of the Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) in its fight and advocacy of promoting awareness against the ill-effect of illegal drug use, as well as, encourage public cooperation in the anti-drug campaign.

(LGOO VI Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa, DILG XIII – Caraga)