The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) conducted an anti-drugs advocacy seminar on 28 August 2015 at the University Gymnasium. It was part of the office’s series of efforts to promote responsibility among students.

A total of 786 freshmen and members of student organizations attended the seminar, which bannered the tag “I am an Atenean. I choose to be drug-free.”

Dr. Bernard Regalado, the head of Drug Testing Laboratory of Asia Pacific Medical and Diagnostics Inc, served as the Resource Speaker. He discussed about dangerous drugs, their effects, and the psycho-social factors behind drug dependency. He explained to students that addiction is not limited to illegal drugs, but is also true to commonly abused substances such as nicotine in cigarettes and alcohol in beverages.

After the talk, three volunteers from Fazenda da Ezperanca (Bukid ng Pag-asa) shared their struggles and success in overcoming drug addiction. They now work for Fazenda that helps in rehabilitating patients who suffer from various kinds of addiction through community life, spirituality and work.

One of the volunteer told the students, “Sundin ninyo ang inyong mga magulang, mag-aral ng mabuti, at sundin ninyo ang mga patakaran ng eskwelahan. Panghawakan ninyo ang inyong mga pangarap at isabuhay ang 4Cs ng Ateneo.”

Joel John Guerrero of the University Health Services served as the master of ceremony.

The OSA intends to sustain its anti-drugs advocacy and implement mandatory random drug testing among students in the coming years as part of its effort to establish a drug-free and safe campus.