CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) --Secretary of the Interior & Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. called for nationwide support against illegal drugs as he led the launch of the government’s new anti-illegal drugs campaign dubbed as Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA).

Abalos said the BIDA Program is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and other key sectors of the society that will focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities coupled with arrests.

 "Sa ating lahat, ang hamon ay ugatin natin ang problema ng droga. Dito sa BIDA, hindi lang kapulisan at iba pang law enforcement units ang kikilos, hanggang grassroots kasama natin dapat dito,” he said.

 Abalos said the key to the success of BIDA is the support of the communities and the people themselves who should reject and say no to illegal drugs and report the drug activities in their areas to the authorities.

 "Ang problema ng droga ay problema ng buong mundo kahit ng mga first-world countries. Mahirap ito sugpuin pero walang imposible kung sama-sama tayo,” he said.

 For those involved in the illegal drugs trade, Abalos sent a strong message that they will be put behind bars. "Sa mga nagtutulak, ipapakulong namin kayo. Ipapatupad namin ang batas at pupunuin ang mga kulungan ng mga katulad n’yo na sumisira sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan at ng mga pamilya,” he said.

On the other hand, for those who want to turn over a new leaf, Abalos assured the government is ready to help them through drug rehabilitation and livelihood training programs to help them lead productive and drug-free lives.

 "Lahat tayo, magtulungan, iyan ang hinihingi namin. Life is truly worth living. Say no to drugs at maging BIDA tayong lahat laban sa iligal na droga," he said. (dilg/pia-ncr)