Drug abuse appears to be the cause of many serious social, psychological, emotional, economic and relationship problems besetting the family and community where substance abusers belong. The DSWD has two programs that promote preventive and developmental services for the youth and their families. These are the Special Drug Education Center (SDEC) and the Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP).

  • The SDEC is a community-based facility which serves as a venue where out-of-school youth are educated on the ill-effects of drugs and are taught skills along livelihood, peer counselling, leadership, community development and strong measures to say NO to drugs.
  • The SDECs should be established in all provincial local government units nationwide as mandated by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
  • The establishment of SDECs at the local government unit level because of the significant role it plays in preventing the youth from engaging in prohibited drugs.