Pubdate: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: Muralla corner Recoletos Sts., Intramuros, Manila Fax: 527-7534 Website: http://www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp Author: Jun Ramirez YOUTHS BACK CITY DRIVE ON DRUGS Thousands of students from 25 universities and colleges in Manila as well as members of various multi-sectoral groups have expressed their allout support to the renewed campaign of Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo S. Lim to rid the city of drug pushers. The students who formed themselves into a group dubbed "Alliance of Student Leaders-Manila" committed to transform the city into a drug-free community. They joined the first batch of 3,000 drug fighters who took their oath last week. The students are tasked to monitor the presence of drug traffickers in their respective barangays and report them to the Katapat Center of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) located at the university belt in Sampaloc. Lim said the police will provide armed support under the direct supervision of the DILG. The other supporting agencies will be the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), school and church authorities, and barangay officials. He said the youths from 46 parishes have also joined the anti-drug campaign handing themselves into "Kabataan Simbahan Laban sa Droga at Karahasan." The multi-sectoral organizations representing the six districts of Manila also signed a manifesto called "Tipan ng Bayan Laban sa Droga at Kahirapan." These included the Urban Poor, Ina ng Tahanan, Bantay Bayan, Ladies Auxiliary Brigades, Kaisa Community Organization, senior citizens, and vendors. Expressing deep concern over the problem, Lim noted that since he left City Hall, major drug pushing and addiction have reached alarming proportion, triggering the rise of drug-related crimes such as rape, murder, and robbery. "Our main concern right now is to identify drug pushers, send them to jail so that the flow of drug supply to users will be effectively cut bringing a more peaceful and harmonious community," Lim declared. The former mayor expressed elation and deep gratitude to the flurry of supports extended by city residents to his campaign to save the city from the clutches of drug dealers. Schools joining the intensified drug crusade include the De La Salle University (DLSU), Far Eastern University (FEU), University of the East (UE), Manuel Luis Quezon University (MLQU), Feati University, the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Mapua, and Lyceum. Lim, together with civic leaders and barangay officials, will march around the second district of Tondo today to gather more support and dramatize his serious concern in putting an end to the drug menace. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D