The Role of Youth in Curing the Ills of Smoking, Alcoholism and Drugs

May 11, 2008, Sunday afternoon, Mamay Aiding, as her grandchildren and the
rest of the young people in the sleepy Purok Dos, San Jose, Malilipot, Albay
affectionately calls her, was getting dressed for another prayer vigil. In the evening of
her daysshe was 74 years oldit had been an everyday routine. She was a pious
devout of the Virgin Mary and the Divine mercy. There was no one else in the house but
her granddaughter whom she asked to go out for an errand. When her granddaughter
left, a 25 year old deranged drug addict slipped in through the window and pinned the
old woman downher face on the floorwith a piece of firewood! Lord, she did not
have time to cry for help as the devil sat on her and savagely thrust a kitchen knife on
one hand and a jungle bolo on the other on the hapless grandmothers back time and
again! I hope that you will be able to imagine how poor, frail, helpless Mamay Aiding,
crushed under the weight of the demon, gasped for air and bathed in her own blood.
Her granddaughter found her lifeless. The autopsy reported forty stabs that claimed the
life of Mamay Aiding. It was Mothers Day
Good morning. Before delving into the details of my sentiments, I would like to
apologize for bringing to our minds the image of a loving grandmother insidiously
stabbed to death by a man under the influence of some detestable substance. I share
your indignation, fear and anxiety. And we are not oblivious of the evil that had done
this! This is but one of the horrendous ills of smoking, alcoholism and drugsor SAD. I
apologize for the understatement. Because smoking, alcoholism and drugs is not a sad
matter but an abominable disease devouring our beloved families and peaceful
communities!
Smoking, alcoholism and drugs had taken deep, sturdy roots in our society.
Notwithstanding its relatively short history in the Philippines, we now recognize SAD as
a social truth, which we cannot extricate our society from. And as adversely exploited, it
has spawned multifarious maladies inflicting our families and communitieslong term
health risks, financial difficulties, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, crime,
injuries and death and so on. Substance abuse has caused us suffering, confusion and
painall of these in an alarming spectrum of incidents and ever escalating figures.
Before this stark scenario, curing the ills of smoking, alcoholism and drugs
seems an impossible undertaking for us, the youth, to realize Or is it?
The world had long recognized the power of youth in bringing forth positive
changes in our societies. And we, the youth, are cognizant of this power that is
endowed us. We breathe new ideas. We promise enormous creativity and energy. We
have an incredible grasp of the technology. And most importantly, we understand our
profound place in the spheres of our society as future citizens of our country and of the

world. These, we shall use, to take responsible undaunted stance against smoking,
alcoholism and drugs.
Youths understanding of the problems that lead to SADsuch as negative
domestic environment, peer pressure, abuse and neglectand the potential ill-effects of
SADsuch as violence, diseases and crimesallows us to take steps toward
forestalling substance abuse and its adverse consequences and restoring the damages
it had caused our society.
June 2009, students of a computer college in Legazpi City successfully
developed and deployed www.smokefreelegazpi.coma website created in support of
the local governments campaign against cigarette smoking in public places. The
internet site features helpful informative articles and interactive tools that are accessible
to millions of end users who are mostly youth. The Smoke-free Legazpi webpage was
displayed in all government and non-government offices, public and private
establishments, particularly internet cafes in the city.
January 2011, Teen Challenge-Vallejo made an alliance with the city of
Valenzuela in Bulacan against substance and alcohol abuse. This gave rise to the
completion of the Teen Challenge Center in Valenzuela. The facility serves as an
alcohol rehabilitation center that provides vocational training and spiritual and moral
uplifting through worthwhile activities to help residents return to society as responsible
young individuals.
May 2011, youth of Dagupan City adopted the Barkada Kontra Drogaa
program initiated by the Dangerous Drug Board that aims to provide the youth an
alternative venue to explore their talents and energy and make them safe from illegal
drugs. The program was launched with a seminar dubbed as Training on Life Skills
Enhancement on Drug Abuse Prevention participated by Sangguniang Kabataan
officials, supreme student government officers and students. Dagupan also successfully
initiated a different anti-illegal drugs advocacy through the Pasikatan sa Dagupan
The Barkada Kontra Droga Talent Search.
There are hundreds of stories moreequally inspiring and noteworthywhich
our time unfortunately does not allow. Nonetheless, it is evident that the role of the
youth in curing the ills of smoking, alcoholism and drugs is undeniably alive and valiant.
I call on our youth, who actively share the vision of the National Commission on
Culture and the Arts of a peaceful and progressive substance abuse-free society, to be
steadfast in our endeavors. I call on the rest of the youth to join us in this great cause, in
this war waged against SAD. I call on our government and the public and private
sectors to support and to encourage youths initiatives, which are geared toward the
development and wellbeing of the youth and our nation in entirety. May our collective
dreams be realized.

Before I end this speech, I would like to ask for a few seconds of silence for the
soul of Mrs. Aida B. Bellen, or Mamay Aiding May perpetual light shine upon her.
Thank you.