Once again, the city of San Pedro, Laguna under Mayor Art Mercado has proven that the city can become "Una sa Laguna" when it comes to upholding the national government's relentless drive against illegal drugs.
Last December 11, the San Pedro City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) was honored at the 2024 ADAC Performance Awards of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
San Pedro City is one of just three LGUs in Laguna province (alongside Binan City and the town of Magdalena) that received this prestigious award, after receiving a "Perfect Functionality Rating" during the 2024 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit.
Anti-illegal drug efforts
This award is a testament to our administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe and secure San Pedro for all," the city executive said. "It highlights the tireless efforts of our City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), our dedicated city government employees, and everyone who worked hard to achieve this success."
These efforts, officials of the San Pedro CADAC reported in a message to OpinYon Laguna, include Prevention Education Campaign and Mental Health Awareness drives in barangays and schools; the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) for former drug dependents; and the Aftercare Program for those who have completed their CBDRP where they can avail of livelihood and technical skills assistance, as well as job placement and medical assistance.
Last November 20, the city government also launched the San Pedro Against Drug Abuse (SPADA) Text Hotline.
The 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.
All of San Pedro City's 27 barangays have been declared free from the threat of illegal drugs, CADAC officials added.
However, the council continues to monitor the situation through random drug testing in all barangays to ensure that they will continue to be "drug-free."
Rehab collaboration
This comes on top of other partnerships the San Pedro CADAC has forged with other government agencies to ensure that former drug dependents will be able to rehabilitate themselves and become law-abiding citizens.
Last December 2023, Mercado signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health Tagaytay – Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TTRC) for a partnership to secure and assist PWUDs who fall under the high-risk category, who will be admitted at the drug rehabilitation facility in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Meanwhile, the city government of San Pedro is also set to partner with the LGU of Biñan City for the rehabilitation of the city’s PWUDs at Biñan City’s Balay Silangan facility, CADAC officials also announced.
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