PORAC town Vice Mayor Dexter David had met with stakeholders over the weekend urging for the need to strengthen the Barangay Anti-Drugs Abuse Councils (Badac) in light of the government effort to rid of the drug menace.
“We need the Badac to become more proactive in their respective areas,” David said before stakeholders at the Villa Cristiana here.
David said that the Badac form part of the first line of defense against illegal drugs. He added that a strong Badac means a healthier support system for rehabilitation and protection as well as defense against drug elements in the grassroots level.
Created by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 1998 through Memorandum No. 227, the Badac at the provincial, municipal, city and barangay levels were designed to be the DILG's first line of defense against illegal drugs.
DILG Memorandum No. 2015-63, issued on June 16, 2015, revitalized the Badac. It is chaired by the barangay captain, co-chaired by the kagawad heading the peace and order committee. Its members include heads of women and family council, Youth Council, public school principal, head of the village watchmen, and representatives of a non-government organization and a faith-based group. The chief of police serves as Badac adviser.
The tasks of Badac include disseminating information on the ills of illegal drugs, monitoring drug cases, making confidential lists of suspected users, pushers, financiers and protectors, and maintaining rehabilitation/referral desks for users wanting to stop the addiction.
David said that barangay leaders who fail to do their tasks in the Badac face administrative case for dereliction of duty under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
They also may face criminal cases if they are found to be using drugs, selling drugs or protecting the drugs trade, David added.
“We in the municipal level are in full support of the Badac. Their success means the success also of the municipal efforts against illegal drugs,” David said.