Think about it
A drug rehab of hope
By Jun Velasco
“He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.” Menander of Athens
OFTEN, if not daily, we are confronted with the pervasive illicit drugs problem that includes bizarre, inhuman, and unthinkable killings including satanic destructions of lives and properties.
These words “bizarre,” “inhuman,” “unthinkable” seem to have lost their horrific punch due to overuse.
Those of us who had no direct or personal experience with the drugs malady could shrug them off as harmless stories, but the cruel truth is that the drug menace is hell on earth that eats away our vitals, our very souls and our whole being.
We have heard of normal and happy families breaking to penury and live lives of evil in our Christian haven, because a family member or more are hooked in drugs.
We focus on this shroud of evil, not to just crush it—but to cite local initiatives that are valiantly fighting and defeating it, bless their souls.
All is not lost though. In this province, we have leaders on the forefront of the anti drugs war.
We are heartened by Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Bebot Villar who is dealing with it like his own personal crusade. His Sunday Punch columns and broadcast reports and analyses are specific, naming names, a mark of great courage that sends the creeps to the guilty and slamming officials who are only good in posturing.
We are happy that the war is also being carried out in the schools, pro-active and involving the young who will inherit the future.
We congratulate Gov. Amado Espino Jr. on this account.
In Dagupan City, Mayor Belen Fernandez’s nationally commended efforts are complemented by the Department of Health’s multi-million drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in barangay Bonuan Binloc. Its location sends a clear signal it is dealing with the problem right on its tracks.
From what we gathered, the regional drug rehab center headed by R1MC chief Roland Mejia recently held a very informative and eye-opening workshop on the nature of how it is to be a victim of the prohibited drug and its implications in our descent and human community.
We have known sob stories of victims who do not hesitate to inflict harm on their loved ones, parents, brother and sisters, grandparents, boy and girl friends, spouses, kin and relatives and even the harmless members of our society.
The tragedy is that these drug dependents are hardly responsible for their despicable and evil acts because they have damaged brains and therefore have abnormal view of reality. Such is the very ugly and very harmful, evil effects of the prohibited drugs.
It is most commendable that there are concerned members of society who know very intimately the phenomenal danger of this problem and its solution.
We should not only salute them; we should join them upfront, find doable ways and means to and lend a hand in the drive.
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Due to the dramatic and sustained success of FOOFADCI–Fishpond Owners Operators & Fisherfolks — founded by former association of barangay captains of Dagupan, Alfredo Dawana, a proposed Federation of Fish Growers Associations of the Philippines is about to be organized in Manila.
The move was inspired by fishing stakeholders’ national convention in Bacolod City last July 2-4, in which the proposed interim officers are Eduardo Maramba of Dagupan, Rene Bucaya Alsons of Sarangani, Rodrigo Boy Rivera of Gensan, Bosiong Cabalquinto of Pangasinan, David Villaluz of Iloilo, and Val Sabido of Negros. Proposed advisers are former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., and Alvin Benthero of Department of Trade.
It can’t be denied that it is this group that started reforms in the fishing and marine industry in Dagupan including dredging and strict enforcement of fishery laws to the delight of Mayor Belen Fernandez, herself a fishpond magnate hereabouts.
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