EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OP THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
j
Second Regular Session 
]
SENATE 
s.B. No. 2236
TIME
Introduced by
SENATORS VICENTE C. SOTTO III and WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INCORPORATING A DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM 
IN SUBJECTS FROM GRADES 7 TO 12 UNDER THE K TO 12 BASIC 
EDUCATION CURRICULUM, MANDATING CAPACITY BUILDING ON 
DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION FOR TEACHERS, TEACHING DRUG ABUSE 
PREVENTION TO PARTNERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
TSXPLANATORY NOTE
One of the worst forms of child labor, according to the International 
Labour Organization, is the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit 
activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs.1 
Production and trafficking of drugs may also entice minors and the youth to 
use and abuse these illegal substances. The Dangerous Drugs Board (“DDB”), 
the policy making and strategy-formulating body in the planning and 
formulation of poHcies and programs on drug prevention and control,2 
annually makes a report on the statistics on the profile of drug abusers to 
identify the individuals vdth problems on drug abuse in the country.
1 Article 3 (c) of the International Labour Organization C.182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour
Convention, 1999). 
, 
, 
, j t. o
2 https://www.ddb.gov.ph/transparency-seal/about-us/mandate. Accessed on June y, 
2020.


Based on the DDB’s report, for calendar years 2017 and 2018, 27.32% and 
28.14% of the population, respectively, who abused illegal drugs reached high 
school level. The statistics reveal that the illegal drugs commonly abused were 
methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, contact cement or rugby, 
cannabis or marijuana, and ecstasy.3 The figures further show that regardless 
of the level of educational attainment, individuals remain, vulnerable to drug 
abuse. Hence, this bill is being introduced to establish a more developed 
school-based education for drug abuse prevention - a Drug Abuse Prevention 
Program - in the basic education system.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, drug abuse 
prevention has three (3) main components; (1) demand reduction strategies; 
(2) supply reduction strategies; and (3) strategies to mitigate the negative 
health and social consequences of drug use. Demand reduction strategies aim 
to reduce the desire and willingness to obtain and use drugs and to prevent, 
reduce or delay the uptake of drug use. Supply reduction strategies aim to 
disrupt the production and supply of illicit drugs, as well as limit the access 
and availability of licit drugs in certain eontexts. Strategies to mitigate the 
negative health and social consequences of drug use aim to reduce the impact 
of drug use and drug-related activities on individuals and communities./,
Through this bill, demand reduction strategies and strategies to 
mitigate the negative health and consequences of drug use are sought to be 
implemented effectively. The bill likewise strengthens the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” 
on integrating the following instructions in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 
under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of all public and private 
schools: (1) adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on 
the person, the family, the school, and the community; (2) preventive 
measures against drug abuse; (3) health, socio-cultural, psychological, legal 
and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem; (4) steps to 
take when intervention on behalf of a drug dependent is needed, as well as
3 https://www.ddb.gov.ph/component/content/categoty/45-research-and-statistics. 
Accessed on June 9, 2020.
^ United Nations Ollice on Drugs and Crime, 2014. School-Based Education for Drug Abuse 
Prevention, p. 12.


the services available for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents; 
and (5) misconceptions about the use of dangerous drugs such as, but not 
limited to, the importance and safety of dangerous drugs for medical and 
therapeutic use as well as the differentiation between medical patients and 
dnig dependents in order to avoid confusion and accidental stigmatization in 
the consciousness of the students,5
The Drug Abuse Prevention Program is a responsive and inclusive 
program which aims to equip the young generation of Filipinos with critical 
information and skills on drug abuse prevention - aspiring to safeguard and 
protect their lives and their future. The passage of this bill is thus earnestly 
sought.
VICENTE C SOTTO III
N vATCHALIAN
5 Section 34, Article IV of RA No. 9165.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
1
SENATE 
s.B. No. 2236
4:15 p.m.
Introduced by
SENATORS VICENTE C. SOTTO III and WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
INCORPORATING A DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM 
IN SUBJECTS FROM GRADES 7 TO 12 UNDER THE K TO 12 BASIC 
EDUCATION CURRICULUM, MANDATING CAPACITY BUILDING ON 
DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION FOR TEACHERS, TEACHING DRUG ABUSE 
PREVENTION TO PARTNERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Drug Abuse
2 
Prevention Program in Basic Education Act”.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives. - The use of illegal drugs
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has been one of the most pressing concerns in the country as minors and the
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youth are continuously being utilized in the conduct of illegal drug activities
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due to their tender age and vulnerability.
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Hence, it is the policy of the State to protect minors and the youth from
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drug abuse and exploitation by providing them quality education at the early 
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informed choices by equipping them with critical and relevant information on
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drug abuse.
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Pursuant to said policy, this Act aims to attain the following objectives:
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a) To educate minors and the youth on the types of harmful and illegal
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drugs and their pernicious effects to one’s health through the program’s
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incorporation in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 basic
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education curriculum of the Department of Education (“DepEd”); and
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b) To provide minors and the youth personal and social skills on drug
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abuse prevention by discussing important matters such as the enhancement
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of self-esteem at the early stages of personal development, anger management
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and conflict resolution, risk assessment and decision making, interpersonal
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and communication issues, and positive alternatives to drug use, among
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others.
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Sec. 3. Incorporating a Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Subjects fiom
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Grades 7 to 12 under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum of the DepEd. -
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All public and private basic education institutions shall be required to
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incorporate a Drug Abuse Prevention Program in subjects from Grades 7 tol2
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which are included under the K to 12 basic education curriculum of the
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DepEd:
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a) Grades 7 to 10 - Health;
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b) Grade 11 - Physical Education and Health; and
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c) Grade 12 - Personal Development.
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The DepEd shall collaborate with the Department of Health (“DOH”),
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the Dangerous Drugs Board (“DDB”), and relevant non-governmental
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organizations (“NGOs”) involved in drug demand reduction, to strengthen the
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implementation of the program in subjects from Grades 7 to 12 under the K
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to 12 basic education curriculum and formulate policies, guidelines, or rules
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and regulations for this purpose.
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Learners, school personnel, parents, drug counselors, and health
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workers shall likewise be consulted on the prevalence of drugs in the


community and the personal and social context of the use of particular drugs 
prior to the formulation of policies, guidelines, or rules and regulations on 
the implementation of the program. The content of the program shall be in 
consonance with the standards set by the aforementioned government 
entities.
Sec. 4. Contents of the Drug Abuse Prevention Program. - The Drug
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Abuse Prevention Program, in the subject “Health” for the secondary level,
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particularly for Grades 7 to 10, shall discuss the general principles on drug
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abuse and mental and emotional health such as, but not limited to, the
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following:
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a) Types of harmful and illegal drugs and their pernicious effects on
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one’s body such as having a weak immune system, heart condition,
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nausea, and abdominal pain, among others;
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b) Ways that drugs can get into the body;
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c) Possible effects of the use of drugs on the health of others;
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d) Development of decision-making skills that will help learners to
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improve their quality of life and properly deal with negative
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situations such as, but not limited to, peer pressure which may
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lead to drug abuse;
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e) Information on helping students manage anger and resolve
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conflicts to prevent them from using drugs;
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f) Enhancement of self-esteem; and
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g) Basic concepts and ideas on how to follow laws and the
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consequences of disobeying laws.
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The Drug Abuse Prevention Program, in the subjects “Physical
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Education and Health” and “Personal Development” for Grades 11 and 12,
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respectively, shall focus on the study of the surroundings and circumstances
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which may easily affect learners such as, but not limited to, the following:


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a) Environment of the learner and the affairs that he or she faces
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everyday which may prompt him or her to use and abuse illegal
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drugs;
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b) Guidance on how to respond to circumstances which may involve
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high risks and low gain choices and observation on different types
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of attitudes, behaviors, and emotional reactions on drug abuse;
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c) Learning and developing anger management, conflict resolution,
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risk assessment, 
decision-making, 
interpersonal, and
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communication skills; and
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d) Further cultivation of human values, importance of community,
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and seeking aid from guidance counselors, adults, and authorities
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when dealing with problems related to drug abuse.
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Sec. 5. Capacity Building and Training for Teachers oh Drug Abuse
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Prevention. - The DepEd, in consultation with DDE, the DOH, and relevant
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NGOs, shall establish and provide capacity building and training courses for
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teachers on drug abuse prevention to assist them in the employment of
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appropriate learning strategies and resources. The courses shall be constantly
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evaluated by the DepEd, in consultation with the DDE and the DOH, to ensure
20 
their sustainability.
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The DepEd shall require that all teachers continuously receive the
22 
capacity building and training courses necessary on drug abuse prevention.
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Attendance to these courses shall be considered as compliance with the
24 
corresponding completed hours of the required trainings of the Civil Service
25 
Commission (“CSC”) for purposes of promotion as may be applicable.
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To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Local School
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Eoards shall require their local public schools to make available to teachers
28 
the capacity building and training courses on drug abuse prevention provided
29 
by the DepEd. To the extent possible, these courses shall be conducted at a
30 
DepEd-approved location which is most conveniently situated near the local
31 
public school.


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Sec. 6. Capacity Building and Training for Partners. - The Local 
Government Academy (“LGA”) of the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), in coordination with the DepEd, the DDB, and the DOH, 
shall likewise develop a basic course on drug abuse prevention for the Local 
School Board that shall serve as a partner in the implementation of the 
program for the learners. The content of the course shall include basic 
principles on the types of illegal drugs, their harmful effects, and how the 
partners can teach and guide minors and the youth on matters related to drug 
abuse. The basic course shall be constantly evaluated by the DepEd, in 
consultation with the LGA, the DDB, and the DOH, to ensure its 
sustainability.
Sec. 7. Assessment and Evaluation of the Drug Abuse Prevention Program 
and Other Reportorial Requirements. - The DepEd shall conduct assessment 
and evaluation to properly ascertain the sustainability, significance, and 
impact of the program on its learners. It shall submit to both Houses of 
Congress and the DDB, not later than May 31 of eveiy year, a report on all 
activities related to the program that were conducted during the school year 
and any proposed amendments to the guidelines and rules and regulations 
on drug abuse prevention.
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current 
appropriations of the DepEd and the DILG. Thereafter, the amount necessary 
for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in 
consultation with the DDB, shall jointly promulgate the implementing rules 
and regulations (IRR) to implement the provisions of this Act and issue the 
same within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.


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The IRR issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days 
after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby 
modified, amended, or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this 
Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,