PAGADIAN CITY, Aug 17 (PIA) – The youth and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) will soon have a bigger role in the country’s fight against illegal drugs as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ensured to engage them in the government’s war on drugs.

DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr, during his recent visit in Pagadian City, ensured that the agency will engage the youth and the SKs to help the government fight illegal drugs.

“Who would better advise the youth than their own. They are at same age and understands each other. We just need to find some young fellow that they can emulate. Magbibigay ng payo ay yung kapwa bata, makikinig yan sa mga iniidolo nila,” Sec Abalos explained.

When asked by the media on what strategies would best address the problem on illegal drugs, Abalos was quick to compare the drug problem into a tree. That is, in order to eradicate drugs, one needs to kill the roots.

Some of the root cause of the illegal drug problem, he said, is poverty and ignorance, among others.

On his analogy of the problem, cutting the branches, such as drug pushers and users without killing the roots would not solve the illegal drugs problem. He, however, recognized the heroic efforts of the many policemen and agents that have sacrificed their lives in going after drug-traffickers.

Abalos, further said that the country needs a ‘people power against illegal drugs’ now while the police and the military do their jobs.

Abalos hinted that the DILG will soon launch the ‘Say No to Drug’ campaign, while providing the youth with various meaningful activities to engage in like, sports and the arts. (EDT/RVC/PIA9)