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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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•17 MAR 16 P 3 -00
RtCLi'vtOlii.
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 1401
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DRUG 
AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG HIGH RISK YOUTH
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The human resource is the most precious resource of our country, that's why 
we have to invest in our people - especially the youth. In order for them to be 
the true instruments of change, the government plays a vital role in shaping 
them and instilling a mindset of growth and opportunities to this end.
In the 2015 statistics releasee! by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), around 
forty-nine percent (48.85%) of the reported cases first tried to use drugs when 
they were at the age group of 15-19 years old.* 1
Meanwhile, in a study, it was cited that 60% of Filipino youth ages 13 years 
and above have taken or are taking alcoholic beverages. Seventy nine per cent 
(79%) are males and twenty-one per cent (21%) are females.2
Needless to say, addiction starts during the most vulnerable stage in a 
person's life. In addition, the environment where he grows is relative to his 
development and growth as a person. Hence, there is a need to target the most 
vulnerable sector of youth in order to give them protection from drug and 
alcohol abuse or to help them recover from the situation they are in.
The proposed measure gives the government a tool in targeting the high risk 
youth and providing for their comprehensive rehabilitation and protection 
from substance and alcohol abuse.
2015 Statistics, Reported Cases by Type of Admission and Gender, http://www.ddb.gov.ph/research- 
statistics/statistics/45-research-and-statistics/287-2015-statistics (Accessed on March 14, 2017).
1 The Filipino as the Quintessential Drinker: A Study of Alcohol Drinking Patterns among Filipinos by Maritona Victa Labajo.
https://www.hri.global/files/2010/05/02/Presentation_23rd_M 10_Labajo.pdf (Accessed on March 14, 2017).


After its passage, the Secretary of Health may grant projects to public and 
nonprofit private entities to demonstrate effective models for the prevention, 
treatment, and rehabilitation of drug abuse and alcohol abuse among high 
risk youth.
This kind of approach, which includes participation of the community and 
private entities, is seen as a holistic solution to prevent the worsening impact 
of addiction that plague the most vulnerable in the community.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
JOSPEH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
I ®
, tiDrritr o( :ii-'
1'
*17 MAR 16 P3 -00
SENATE
SENATE BILL NO. 1401
R L C lin  • i '  iiV.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
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AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DRUG 
AND ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG HIGH RISK YOUTH
Be it enneted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Saving Young 
Substance Abusers Act."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the 
youth in nation-huikiing and sliall promote their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual and scKial wellheing.
SECTION 3. "High Risk Youth" Defined. -For purposes of this Act, the term 
"high risk youth" means an individual who has not attained the age of 
eighteen (18) years, who is at high risk of becoming, or who has become, a 
drug abuser or an alcohol abuser, and who -
a. Is identified as a child of a substance abuser;
b. Is a victim of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse;
c. Does not attend school;
d. Has become pregnant;
e. Is economically disadvantaged;
f. Has committed a violent or deliiu]uent act;
g. Has experienced mental health problems;
h. Has attempted suicide;
i. Has experienced long-term physical pain due to injury;
j. Has experienced chronic failure in school;
k. Is from a broken family;
l. Is a child lalxM or;


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m. Is a street child or street gang member; or
n. Lives in coi\flict areas.
SECTION 4. Grants to Public and Nonprofit Private Entities. - The Secretary 
of Health shall make grants to public and nonprofit private entities for 
projects to demonstrate effcxrtive models for the prevention, treatment, and 
rehabilitation of drug abuse and alcohol abuse among high risk youth.
SECTION 5. Priority of Projects. -
a. In making grants for thug abuse and alcohol abuse prevention projects, 
the Secretary shall give priorit)' to applications for projects directed at 
children of substance abusers, children at risk of abuse or neglect, 
preschool children, children at risk of dropping out of school, children 
at risk of becoming adolescent parents, children who do not attend 
school, child laborers, street children, and children who are at risk of 
being unemployed.
b. In making grants for drug abuse and alcohol abuse treatment and 
rehabilitation projects, the Secretary shall give priority to projects which 
address the relationship between drug abuse or alcohol abuse and 
physical child abuse, sexual child abuse, emotional child abuse, 
dropping out of school, unemployment, delinquency, pregnancy, 
violence, suicide, or mental health problems.
c. In making grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to 
applications from community based organizations for projects:
1. To develop innovative models with multiple coordinated .services 
for the prevention or for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug 
abuse or alcohol abuse by high risk youth.
2. To demonstrate effective models with multiple coordinated services 
which may be replicated and which are for the prevention or for the 
treatment and rehabilitation of drug abuse or alcohol abuse by high 
risk youth.
3. That employ research designs adequate for evaluating the 
effectiveness of the program.
SECTION 6. Strategies for Reducing Use. - Tire Secretary shall ensure that 
projects under Section 4 include strategies for reducing the use of alcoholic


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beverages and tobacco products by individuals to whom it is unlawful to sell 
or distribute such beverages or products.
SECTION 7. Equal Distribution of Grants. - To the extent feasible, the 
Secretary shall, ensure the equal distribution of grants under this Act among 
urban and rural areas.
SECTION 8. Application for Grants. - In order to receive a grant for a project 
under this Act for a fiscal year, a public or nonprofit private entity shall 
submit an application to the Secretary. The Secretary may provide the 
provincial governor or the city or municipal mayor the opportunity to review 
and comment on such application. Such application shall be in such form, 
shall contain such information, and shall be submitted at such time as the 
Secretary may by regulation prescribe.
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid 
or 18 unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly.
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,