TNHS holds anti-illegal drug awareness and prevention

It was last February 20, 2020 that Talomo National High School hosted a Symposium on Anti-Illegal Drug Awareness and Prevention which was participated by more than three hundred Grade 10 students and teachers of the said institution. The activity was spearheaded by the School Gender and Development (SDAD) with Edgar V. Floresca as the School Focal Point Person, the Guidance Office under Ms. Michelle H. Amodia, the Guidance Counselor and the Prefect of Discipline.

The activity was started at 8:05 and ended at 11:45 in the morning. The participants were so attentive while listening to the speakers. Different kinds of illegal drugs and its effects to individuals were discussed by the PDEA personnel represented by agent Maviena Tam while the PNP personnel of Talomo Police Station talked about some laws like specifically R.A. 9165, an act instituting the comprehensive dangerous drugs act of 2002.

One of the participants Rica Jane C. Vilo of Section Mabini, 16 years old from Ulas, Davao City, when she was asked of her insights about the activity, said, “I am really impressed that the symposium was very educational and informative. The speakers were very knowledgeable of the topic and they’ve explained it clearly as crystals, easy to understand that your brain can process and absorb it in a short period of time. They also have a unique way of getting and keeping the audience’s attention. They’ve added more flavor unto it to make the topic more relatable for us.” Sandara A. Pril, 16 years old from Talomo Cemento, who belongs to Section Felipe, when asked of the significance of the event, stressed that, “Drugs can make our lives vulnerable and prone to destruction. It will destroy family relationships, put our future into darkness and gives us diseases that will affect our brain and will eventually lead to our misbehaviors.” Sir Reuel A. Alvarez, the principal, had also motivated the participants in his message to consider the symposium seriously and even encouraged them to ask questions or clarifications about the current issues and concerns relative to drug addiction and prevention.

Several questions were raised by some students during the activity, which were also answered right away by the concerned speakers. Students/participants were so amused in some questions and reactions of both the speakers and the participants. It was a very successful event that hoped to enhance individuals, awareness and prevention on illegal drugs. (Edgar V. Floresca)