Local leaders, national partners, and community advocates gathered in Antipolo City to commemorate World Drug Day, officially recognized as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT).
The event served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to address the harm of illegal drugs while upholding the dignity and rights of every Filipino.
This year’s commemoration highlighted not just the dangers of drug trafficking and use, but also the Philippines’ growing shift toward compassionate, rights-based responses to drug dependency.
RESPONDING TO RISING GLOBAL AND LOCAL THREAT
Drawing attention to the findings of the World Drug Report 2025, the event emphasized the alarming rise in methamphetamine production and trafficking in Southeast Asia. In 2024, a record 236 tons of methamphetamine were seized globally—a 24% increase from the previous year—driven largely by organized networks operating out of the Golden Triangle in Myanmar.
This trend has hit close to home. Just weeks before the commemoration, over 220 kilograms of methamphetamine (shabu)—valued at nearly ₱1.5 billion—were intercepted off the coast of Zambales. The discovery, made by local fishermen and turned over to authorities, was hailed as a testament to community vigilance and effective inter-agency coordination.
A MORE HUMANE AND HOPEFUL RESPONSE
The event also focused on the country’s evolving approach to drug policy—one that views drug dependence not as a crime, but as a public health and social issue.
Antipolo City was recognized for its leadership in pioneering humane, health-centered programs that prioritize prevention, treatment, and reintegration. Speakers urged that while enforcement remains important, the foundation of any effective response must be built on compassion, inclusion, and respect for human rights.
INVESTING IN PREVENTION, PROTECTING DIGNITY
Participants emphasized the need to move beyond symbolic gestures and toward sustainable, system-level change. The real impact, they noted, lies in strengthening national and local systems that ensure accessible, stigma-free services for individuals and families affected by drug use and dependence.
“Addiction is not a dead end—it is a treatable condition,” one speaker shared. “With the support of families, communities, and government, recovery is not only possible—it is transformative.”
As the Philippines continues to confront evolving challenges in drug prevention and treatment, Antipolo City sends a clear message: hope and healing must be at the heart of our response.
In line with this commitment, Antipolo also launched the Strong Families Initiative during the commemoration. The program engages parents and children in guided family sessions that aim to strengthen communication, deepen family bonds, and promote positive parenting and behavioral development. By investing in family-based prevention, the city reinforces its vision of a compassionate, community-driven approach to building resilience and protecting future generations.
A CALL TO ACTION
As the event concluded, participants renewed their commitment to advancing drug policies and programs that protect lives and uplift communities. They called on local governments to follow Antipolo’s lead in shaping compassionate, scalable solutions that put people—not punishment—at the center of the drug response. #WorldDrugDay2025 #HealthNotPunishment #AntipoloLeadsWithCompassion #SupportDontStigmatize #ToServeandProtect #TeamPNP