PSupt. Cirilo Acosta Jr. led PNP Bayambang in launching its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program. This program is aimed at Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils of Bayambang Central School.

“It is a two-month program with 17 modules designed to educate selected pupils to avoid drugs, including tobacco and alcohol,” said Acosta. The youth’s bad habits, including drug addiction, often start with cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, he pointed out.

The PNP Bayambang Chief said the DARE Program had a soft launching last week and was officially launched on September 7, Tuesday, at 9 AM in BCS.

In her welcome speech, BCS Principal II Corazon P. Cayabyab said that BCS is lucky to have been selected for the DARE project out of 49 schools.

In his introduction of the guest speaker, Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, PSupt. Acosta announced that the Mayor had released P40,000 for the DARE program.

In his speech, Mayor CTQ acknowledged PSupt. Acosta for taking the initiative in making the program a reality. He also related that, through his 67 years of existence, “I haven’t seen or tried marijuana, shabu, Ecstasy, etc. But I’ve seen the effects of illegal drugs. Para kayong patay, pero buhay.”

“Kailangan bata pa lamang, malaman na na masama sa buhay ng tao ang malulong sa droga. Maaapektuhan ang inyong pamilya, kalusugan… Para kayong nabubuhay sa ibang mundo.”

“Ako’y naniniwala na ang edukasyon ang mainam na paraan upang labanan ang kahirapan. Naniniwala rin ako na edukasyon din ang paraan upang labanan ang ilegal na droga.”

He enjoined the pupils to avoid illegal drugs at all cost. “Matakot tayo na gumamit ng droga. Huwag nating pasukin ang buhay na lulong sa droga.”

Municipal Councilor Martin Terrado gave the closing remarks, in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order. (PIO/Media Affairs)