SSG leads Drug Awareness Symposium

By Neil Ivan Bellen

To raise awareness on different topics regarding illegal drugs, the Supreme Student Government spearheaded the Symposium sponsored by the Philippine Medical Association which was held last October 21, 2015 at the Lagman Gymnasium, Tabaco National High School (TNHS).

The said event had speakers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and was attended by Grade 10 students of TNHS.

Ms. Cotton Yuson, Chief of Preventive Education Community Involvement Branch, was the first speaker of event and tackled the concepts involving illegal drugs such as the reasons of drug abuse, the profile of drug abuser, the classification of these drugs and more.

“In order to not be a part of illegal activities such as drug dealing, whenever somebody asks you to be a part, tell them, I’m too busy working on being better.” She said on her talk.

She also added that whenever someone is acting a little bit strange, you have to go and ask what is wrong and be always ready to lend a helping hand for this deed may prevent any unwanted in involvement in such cases.

The second speaker of the symposium is a drug user alias Coco who had decided to stop using drugs specifically Shabu. He told the crowd about how his experiences changed his outlook in life and led him to live a drug-free lifestyle.

Coco also imparted them with wisdoms about the proper decisions in life in order to not be led astray. He said that the greatest decision you could ever make is to say no to something that doesn’t even assure you of your safety.

After the two talks, the symposium had an open-forum to answer and clarify some questions regarding drugs.

“This is one of those symposia that is very much needed to be held in every school in order for the students to be filled with knowledge about the effects of drug abuse and this will also serve as a stepping-stone that will help pave the way for a better future for each and everyone.” Ma. Resel Balla, one of the attendees, said.