Thursday, October 19, 2006 Mayor wants mandatory drug subject in school
CITY Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte insists on continuing education on the ill-effects of illegal drugs for all students in the city.
In his appearance before the Davao City Council last Tuesday, councilors were asking the mayor how the council could do its share in the fight against drug problem.
Duterte said they could do so by creating an ordinance that would make drug education mandatory for all the school children.
"They must be informed as young as possible of the ill-effects of these illegal drugs," Duterte said.
The mayor said only when the people, especially the young, are well informed of the negative effects of illegal drugs would there be hope in stopping this growing problem.
Duterte admitted that the spate of summary executions on suspected drug pushers in the city would not stop the proliferation of illegal drugs.
He said a long-term plan is needed and education is the key to achieving their mission.
Duterte said there is also the need for the Juvenile Law to be amended.
He added that this new law is encouraging young criminals to do more crimes since they are now "over-protected" under such law.
"Juvenile law is a failure. It does not suit to the realities of life. It favors young criminals and in the end it will create anarchy," Duterte said of the law.
The law, Republic Act 9344, exempts minors below 15 years of age from criminal liability. Those 15 to 18 may only be charged, if they committed the offense, knowing it was a crime. It took effect last May 2006. (BOT)
