LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – One hundred twenty-one students of Eastern La Trinidad National High School (ELTNHS), Beckel headed by their school principal Mr. Alfonso C. Doriano participated in a drug symposium information drive with the Regional Public Safety Company-Police Regional Office Cordillera (RPSC PROCOR).
Grades 9 and 10 students led by the Supreme Student Government President Mr. Dickson Bumacas participated in the December 1 event held at their school’s science laboratory with the supervision of guidance counselor Renita Pablo.
The RPSC team headed by Police Chief Inspector Joselito T. Lamsen with five other police officers explained the purpose of the symposium was to inform students on the effects and penalties on using drugs.
A video clip on drug addiction showed how the lives of famous celebrities got destroyed due to involvement with illegal drugs.
Kelly and Lacuata discussed the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. They discussed the meaning of drugs, drug abuse, and classification of drugs, unlawful acts, and punishment of using drugs, physical signs of drug abuse and the reasons why people turn to drugs.
The highlight of the discussion was the emphasis on the immediate effects and long term effects of using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes and the use of alcohol. They discussed reasons why people should avoid using dangerous drugs. The students brought back their learnings to their subjects regarding drugs, and what they observe around them.
Lacuata gave an inspirational message to the students by saying what Gat Jose P. Rizal said that “The youth is the hope of the fatherland” that is why students should do their best, study hard and strive for the best.
Lamsen ended the symposium by letting the students recite the famous line “Say No to Drugs” and advised them to concentrate on their studies, avoid using illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and respect their parents and their teachers for their own good.
By ROSEMARIE GOMUAD – ALVERAZ