Local News: Press Con Ushers in Seminar on Life Skills Training and Substance Abuse Prevention
The Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Center in Victorias City held a press conference yesterday at the Victorias City Hall to usher in the seminar entitled, "LIFE SKILL TRAINING ON DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION NODRC Executive Director Dr. Ernesto Palanca welcomed the guests, media practitioners, members and officers of the Dangerous Drugs s Board, PDEA, Victorias City officials and Barangay Captains.
Local officials of Victorias City headed by Mayor Severo Palanca and Vice
Mayor Frederick "Wantan" Palanca during a press conference on containing the
Drug menace.*(HJT program)
Mayor Severo Palanca, in his welcome speech emphasized that everyone’s cooperation is being enjoined to ensure the success of the seminar and the efforts of the drug rehabilitation center to make Victorias City drug-free.
W. Henry O. Streegan, Liaison officer of the center introduced the media practitioners, namely, Pert Toga, NDB Editor-inchoie fwho is also a director of the foundation, representing Dr. by Mogul, NODRF: president who is now in abroad, Gil Severino, James Toga representing Negros Press Club President Arman Toga and the ABS-CBN TV crew.
Dr. Palanca emphasized the importance of information-education programs which can enhance the efforts of the Center and the Foundation. Usec Jorge G. Necesito, Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board, stressed that the 5-point programs of the DDB, as enunciated in Republic Act
No. 9165 are;
1. Work for the reduction of the supply of dangerous drugs. That the DDB, NBI, PDEA and LGUs are coordinating with each other to reduce the supply of dangerous drugs in the country;
2.’ To work for reduction through programs for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents. This being undertaken by the Department of Education and culture, foundations and ECUs through seminars, workshops and information-education seminars,
3. Alternative development programs where former drug farmers are being taught how to develop their farms more profitably in cash crops;
4. Conducting civic awareness with the active involvement of tri-media organizations and practitioners in information - education drives, and
5. Tapping regional and international organizations like the United Nations, World Health organizations in the drive to cramp out drug addiction.
He stated that among the problems that they are facing are lack of funds and trained personnel.
The participants in the 3-day seminar (June 5-7) are composed of members of the SK Federation of Victorian City and SK members of outlying towns.*
