BOBON, Northern Samar- Their fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs resulted for the town’s declaration as a “drug-free.”
The declaration was made official during a ceremony held on February 1 at the municipal covered court and attended by police and local officials led by Mayor Reny Celespara and S/Supt. Cezar Zafiro Tannagan, police provincial director.
Earlier, the municipal council passed a resolution declaring the town as drug free, in particular, 13 of its 18 barangays which were considered as the most influenced of illegal drugs.
With the declaration, Bobon became the first local government unit in the region to be declared as drug free.
The national government under President Rodrigo Duterte initiated an all-out war against the proliferation of illegal drugs.
During the activity, 247 former drug users surrendered before the local officials, affirming that they would no longer use the illicit drugs.
One of the former drug users, Chito Lustico, made a testimony saying that the illegal drugs did nothing helpful to him but only cause destruction to him and his loved ones.
“It’s not yet too late to abandon this bad vice. This will only kill us. I’ve been using illegal drugs for nearly 20 years and I gained nothing good from it,” he said.
Lustico lauded the government for coming up with a program that would help former drug users like him to become a good citizen of the community.
Meantime, Mayor Celespara said that former drug dependents are not considered, at least by him, as enemies but victims.
He reminded the public that fighting illegal drugs have been a part of his crusade since he entered public office, starting from being a village chairman.
“I initiated for the dismantling of a drug group especially, drug users through alternative livelihood and learnings for the victims. We must be very thankful to the PNP leadership for this declaration and must not stop in monitoring any illegal drug activities,” the town mayor said. (PETER D. PAREDES)
