By Cassandra Luis J. De Leon

Far Eastern University (FEU) student-leaders emphasized the importance of collaborating in advancing an advocacy after representing the Philippines as delegates in the 4th Youth Network on Drug Prevention Program (YNDPP) held in Thailand and Cambodia from January 30 to February 8.

The representatives included FEU Drug Abuse Prevention Core Group (DAPCG) President Julianne Faith Alforte, DAPCG Vice President Keana Dominique Mangalino, Institute of Arts and Sciences Student Council (IAS SC) Auditor Monika Panganiban, and Tamaraw Volunteers (TamVol) Vice President Hans Gabriel Empleo.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Mangalino, Empleo, and Panganiban explained that the event aimed to bring ASEAN youth leaders together to collaborate for drug prevention initiatives.

“Through discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities, the event sought to empower young leaders to take an active role in addressing drug-related issues, especially drug abuse prevention, in their respective countries,” Panganiban said.

Moreover, the program held critical discussions about drug situations, digital platforms’ contribution to the increase of drug use, and ideas for its prevention and solution.

“Collaborative process allowed us [participants] to draw from each other’s experiences and cultural contexts to come up with strategies that could be adapted to various communities,” Mangalino shared.

For Empleo, the event connected youths and helped them better understand the context within other countries.

“We all know that the world does not only revolve in the context we have here in the Philippines, and that is why this opportunity is so important as it also shows a lens of the context other countries face… It further integrates the youth in the building of the ASEAN way of diplomacy, in as far as it deals with problems in the region such as drug proliferation,” he said. 

Youth leaders from Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, and Thailand also took part in YNDPP.

The delegates were also able to visit places that showcased successful drug prevention initiatives, such as the University of South-East Asia in Cambodia, the Hall of Opium Museum of Thailand, and Chiang Mai’s Roi Jai Rak project.

As student-leaders, the DAPCG vice president and IAS SC auditor both expressed their intent to organize campaigns, events, and discussions to bring drug prevention advocacy within the green-and-gold community.

“Establishing partnerships with various organizations, both within and outside the University, will be crucial in strengthening and expanding the reach of this advocacy… I hope to encourage more students to take an active role in this advocacy and create a lasting impact within our university and beyond,” Panganiban mentioned.

Meanwhile, Alforte planned to share her insights and raise awareness through online platforms.

“By utilizing these digital tools, I hope to engage students and raise awareness on a larger scale. I believe this initiative should start at the university level and gradually expand nationwide… It is through these efforts, both on the ground and online, that we can foster a culture of awareness, prevention, and responsibility regarding drug abuse,” she added.

Empleo also shared that the delegates will work together with the Student Development office to apply their learning from YNDPP.

“I believe there's a plan currently being discussed here because we really want to show the FEU community the things we have experienced outside thy happy halls,” he mentioned.

Additionally, the TamVol vice president stated his interest to push for more resolution to drug prevention including a better understanding of the roots of drug usage.

“I believe the current drug problem is a health problem which should be solved in not just the political lens but also in a comprehensive medical approach that incorporates our Filipino values,” he explained.

Recently, during a drug abuse education and prevention seminar, FEU Office of Student Discipline discussed its plans to conduct a Mandatory Random Drug Testing to achieve a drug-free University. 

The Tamaraw representatives were evaluated and chosen out of 300 ASEAN applicants and 100 Filipinos from several colleges and universities.

YNDPP is an event organized by Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

(Photo Courtesy of Keana Dominique Mangalino)