National Children’s Month Programs
The National Children’s Month will be celebrated with the theme “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga” (Youth/Child: Save from Drugs). Both the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH) are taking actions in providing a better way in treating and preventing illegal drug use and selling for the young community of the Philippines.
National Children’s Month in the Philippines
The 25th National Children’s Month is celebrated with many different programs in achieving the goal of this year’s theme. With the anti-drug administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who campaigned his election with diminishing illegal drugs, the Children’s Month will be used as part of the said process. Prevention programs and rehabilitation treatments will be set out by DepEd and DOH respectively.
Drug-Free Lifestyle for Children
Targeting a better way of prevention, proper parenting and focusing on the curricular activities will be strictly surveyed by DepEd. Inclined to this year’s Children’s Month, the Department of education will also establish a program which will empower each individual to promote a healthy and drug-free lifestyle in their own peer groups.
While we are empowering the students through education, we intensify drug eradication program to develop in them a positive behavior and life skills to resist drugs,” said Medical Doctor of DepEd Dr. Jeason Mark Consing.
Rehab Treatment for “Tokhang” Youth
The term tokhang is a from two words tok-tok (knock) and hangyo (request/ask). This was created by President Duterte in coordination with his Anti-Drug administration which simply requests suspected drug addict or seller in request of a surrender and to stop their illegal drug activities.
For children who have been under the influence of illegal drugs will undergo a rehabilitation provided by the DOH. Dr. Socrates Villamor, DOH Provincial Head, said that there is no proper statistic on the number of youth surrenders in the country.
For now, we are doing the regular general rehabilitation program while waiting for the finalization of policies and guidelines for the youth rehab treatment under the community-based reformation and after-care programs,” Dr. Villamor said.
Those who are assessed in the low and moderate drug dependence can be included in the community-based treatment rehabilitation program while those who have severe drug dependence are referred to residential treatment rehabilitation centers in Cebu,” he added.
