Summary

The program started on November 25, 2013 led by Mayor Ronnel Rivera because he wanted an anti-drug program that is effective, results-oriented and possible for replication. LIKAY Droga aims to provide an avenue for potential drug users to focus their attention to livelihood activities and become productive members of society. Considering that most of the drug victims are out-of-school youth, the Local Government Unit decided to partner with the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.

Background and Problem

General Santos City has been the stronghold for commerce and trade in Region XII. However, the city has also its share of the griming realities of illegal drugs. PDEA12 reported that in General Santos City, peddlers and the suppliers of drugs are adults in our community, and their victims are the youth, particularly the out-of-school youth. The latter’s lack of education, lack of income, or lack of support system make them the most vulnerable victims of the drug problem. Lingap sa Kabataang Ayaw sa Droga (LIKAY Droga) was established for this purpose. It was facilitated by the PNP DARE Officers, Professors of Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, Brokenshire College, Marcellin Foundation and LIKAY Droga technical working group composed mostly of personnel from DepEd and the City Population Office.

Solution and Impact

In 2014, some OSYs participated in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education. The participants were potential or actual victims of drug abuse and were therefore identified as recipients of the LIKAY Droga program. Mobile Teachers (ALS implementers), District ALS Coordinators, Instructional Managers and some members of the academe were trained to make session plans for the development of LIKAY Droga Module. Taking from the initial but continuing successes of LIKAY Droga Program, the City has now extended its efforts of its advocacy, coming from the module of the Likay Droga Program – in August 2016, we launched Purok Laban Krimen (PLK), as our local move to support the massive efforts of government against illegal drugs and criminalities in the barangay. The collaborative efforts pave the way for a strengthened commitment and unconditional accountability system among the LGU, Barangays, Puroks, DepEd, PDEA, PNP, ALS learners, parents, community leaders and private sector. Because of LIKAY Droga, community participation increased especially in the grassroots level and drug awareness also increased among the constituents and in 2014, 171 personalities were arrested while 201 cases were filed. In 2015, 388 personalities were arrested, and 480 cases were filed. And in 2016, 655 personalities were arrested while 831 cases were filed. The significant increase marks the city as the most improved city in the region.

Milestones

  • Less number of drug-related cases compared to other regions
  • In the GSC BJMP, there are 63 drug users and pushers who are currently enrolled in ALS. 51 of these successfully finished the program and are now gainfully employed
  • 837 ALS learners are engaged in entrepreneurial activities
  • 374 ALS completers are gainfully employed
  • 410 involved in livelihood and income-generating projects
  • Aside from ALS Implementers, we also have 743 Anti-Illegal Drug Advocates (AIDAs) from different puroks and barangays.
  • Strengthened partnership between Public and Private Sectors, NGOs, POs, and CSOs
  • Boost community participation especially in the grassroots level
  • Drug awareness increased among constituents
  • In 2018, an amount of Php 1,500,000.00 from the Department of Education was given by The Literacy Coordinating Council as they recognize the programs viability and remarkability specially that it promotes prevention through literacy campaign

Next Step

  • Likay Droga will be extended to the classes under the Alternative Delivery Mode of DepEd
  • Adding more Income generating activities for ALS learners
  • Intensify and enhance monitoring of learners
  • On going inclusion of Likay Droga to the BJMP

Title

Likay Droga: Lingap sa Kabataang Ayaw Sa Droga

Organization

City Government of General Santos