Need to report suspected drug pushers, or drug users who needed to be rehabilitated?
In San Pedro City, Laguna, the continuous campaign against illegal drugs is now just one text away.
Last November 20, the city government of San Pedro, in partnership with the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC), officially launched the San Pedro Against Drug Abuse (SPADA) Text Hotline.
The launch of the SPADA Text Hotline is part of the LGU’s commitment to engage the local community in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs, offering a platform for citizens to actively participate in reporting drug-related incidents.
Additionally, it aims to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) back into the fold of society.
Public participation
Officials who led the launching of the SPADA Hotline underscored the need to involve barangay officials and the community at large, not only in halting the illegal drugs trade, but also in rehabilitating former drug users.
"Mayroon pong pangangailangan sa coordinated effort ng ating komunidad para mabigyan ng awareness o kaalaman ang mga mamamayan ukol sa ill effects of illegal drug use," DILG San Pedro City officer Fatima Alon explained during the event.
The SPADA Text Hotline (08980013784) allows residents to report drug-related activities, including suspected drug dens, laboratories, drug pushers, and users within their neighborhoods.
To ensure the veracity of such incidents, all reports submitted will undergo a 48-hour validation process before being acted upon by the authorities.
The CADAC assures the public that the identity and safety of individuals who report incidents will be safeguarded, in full compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
As of present, only text messages can be accommodated at the SPADA Text Hotline, according to the city government.
“Umaasa po tayo na sa sama-sama po nating pagtutulungan ay unti-unti po nating mailalayo ang ating mga kabataan mula sa iligal na droga,” CADAC Focal Person P/Lt. Col. Giovanni Martinez (Ret.) said during the event.
“Makakaasa po kayo sa suporta ng ating punong lungsod na si Mayor Art Mercado upang makamit natin ang ating adhikain na manatiling ‘drug-free’ ang ating mga barangay,” he added.
Local officials who attended the event also expressed, through a manifesto, their continuous support of the national government’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs.