Official mulls revival of drug watch body

CEBU, Philippines - A former mayor of Calape town in Bohol province who used to sit as overall chairman of the Citizens Drug Watch said he will revive the drug watch body to educate people, especially the youths in Metro Cebu towns and cities, on the bad effects of taking illegal drugs.

Ernest Herrera, son of former senator Ernesto Herrera and mayor of Calape town in Bohol province from 2001 up to 2007, is presently the assistant head of the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention.

Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention is presently headed by Dr. Alice Utlang.

Herrera told The Freeman that the plan to revive Citizens Drug Watch was after he noticed that the problem of illegal drugs now is very alarming.

When Herrera assumed office at the COSAP with Utlang as head, they initiated the surprise drug test on all barangay officials in Cebu City.

A number of barangay tanods and barangay health workers were found positive of illegal drugs based on the results made available and released by COSAP.

Herrera said Citizens Drug Watch will be actively involved in the massive education in the different cities in Metro Cebu, including from Cebu City.

Herrera recalled the active participation of barangay officials before in the campaign against illegal drugs.

The problem of illegal drugs is also reported in the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

In Mandaue City, Ernie Manatad, president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said he supports the move to adopt a Cebu City program in the fight against drug addiction and to start at the barangay level.

Manatad said he also supports the move for all barangay officials to undergo drug test.