THE Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) will soon implement the preventive anti-drug abuse education modules in Islamic schools.
Cadac, on Wednesday, November 20, officially launched the Drug Education Module for Community-Based Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program translated into Arabic at the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu).
Cadac technical adviser Ronald Rivera said the translated modules will be used as an educational material in addressing the spread of illegal drugs in the city, particularly within the Muslim communities.
“We translated the drug module into Arabic because we wanted it to be used in Madrasah schools in the city,” Rivera said.
He said the translation was requested by the Addu College of Islamic Studies, which was assisted by the Madras Ulamas or scholars under the City Mayor’s Office.
Rivera said the creation of the module is in line with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165, Article IV, Section 43). The module will be integrated in the elementary, secondary, and tertiary public and private institutions in the city.
Madrasah Comprehensive Development and Promotions Program executive director Aleem Jamal Munib said the module will be implemented in 50 Madrasah schools, which caters to more than 3,000 students, both elementary and secondary.
Munib said the translated module is still being corrected and is expected to be released next year.
“Kung prevention pag-uusapan, matindi ito. (This could be our effective tool for drug prevention.) We are very proud this program,” he said.
He said integrating the drug module in Madrasah schools is not meant to discriminate anyone, as the “anti-drug war” of President Rodrigo Duterte is a public issue.
“It’s not about targeting the Muslim community. It will be more effective if this war against drugs, be translated into Arabic,” Munib said.
He added, “Islam is very keen on drug addiction prevention.”
He said teachers will undergo training once the module will be officially distributed.