ASoG holds Virtual Kapihan on the topic “Drug-Abuse in the Philippines: Taking Stock & Prospects for the Future”

The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) held a Virtual Kapihan sa ASoG on the topic  “Drug-Abuse in the Philippines: Taking Stock & Prospects for the Future” last 28 May 2022. This exclusive QnA event for students and faculty of the ASoG was graced by Dr. Ma. Regina M. Hechanova-Alampay, PhD, RPsy, ICAP, Chief of Party of the USAID RenewHealth Project.

ASoG Associate Professor Imelda Deinla PhD opened the event with a brief overview of the state of current drug policies in the Philippines and how they are being implemented, vis-a-vis the results.  Dr. Deinla also shared highlights of best practices in other countries, especially those that have enjoyed significant declines in drug usage across the population all whilst protecting and promoting human rights.

Ateneo Loyola Schools Professor Gina Hechanova-Alampay PhD then led the discussion by first giving updates on how community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) efforts are doing as implemented by the RenewHealth Project of the USAID. This was followed by the exchange of questions and insights shared by the students and faculty, mostly on CBDR in the Philippines, especially on health approaches towards the country’s systemic drug issues.

The lively discussion in the recent Virtual Kapihan sa ASoG serves as an indication of how, as a community, the Filipinos are eager for more just and relevant approaches towards drug-abuse.

The Virtual Kapihan sa ASoG is a quarterly event held exclusively for ASoG Master in Public Management (MPM) students and faculty, aimed as a platform for discussing timely and relevant societal and governmental topics.

Applications are ongoing for the August 2022 intake of the ASoG MPM. To know more about the program, please visit bit.ly/ASOG_admissions.