U.S. sponsors conference to strengthen PHL drug abuse prevention efforts

From December 4 to 6, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and its Philippine partners convened the 6^th National Conference of Drug Abuse Coalitions in Biñan City, Laguna as part of a Php22-million ($400,000) grant to strengthen local efforts to prevent illegal drug use and advocate evidence-based policy.

During this three-day event organized in collaboration with the Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines, Inc. (AADAC) and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), more than 130 delegates received training on coalition building, fostering community engagements, constructing logic models to address health disparities, and marketing and media advocacy.

Participants also exchanged best practices on creating and implementing community-wide drug prevention strategies.

Dangerous Drugs Board Secretary Catalino Cuy recognized the important role of AADAC in the Philippine government’s campaign to reduce demand for illegal drugs.  “This national conference supports drug demand reduction programs and initiatives which align with the Philippine Anti- Illegal Drugs Strategy,” he said at the opening ceremony of the conference.

“This year’s conference on the theme ‘Building Bridges for Sustainable Community Coalitions: Linking, Learning, Leading’ provides the venue for facilitating meaningful discussions on how to fortify the foundations we have laid in the fight against drug abuse in the Philippines,” INL Director Kate Riche said.

“The U.S. government will continue to support the development of effective anti-drug abuse coalitions and facilitate opportunities for sustainability at both the local and national levels.”

AADAC is an umbrella association of 42 community anti-drug abuse coalitions located across the Philippines.

The Php22-million multi-year program “Sustaining and Scaling up Effective Anti-Drug Coalitions in the Philippines,” funded by the U.S. government, establishes community anti-drug coalitions and strengthens existing communities with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to build effective and sustainable coalitions that combat illegal drugs and drug-related crime.  Learn more about the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and its global drug demand reduction programs at www.state.gov/j/inl.