Coinciding with the 33rd Universal Children’s Month, Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II reminded young Dabawenyos like him not to put their health and safety at risk by avoiding using illegal drugs.
“It is also the advocacy of Lolo Digong to keep the youth away from drugs. That’s the reason why he launched the war against illegal drugs when he was still president,” he said.
Rigo is the grandson and namesake of former President Rodrigo Duterte and son of Davao City First District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte.
The younger Duterte cited the negative effects of teen drug abuse including mental health disorders. He also said the use of illegal drugs can complicate or increase the risk of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
He also said that drug use can result in drug addiction, illness, and worst, death.
Rigo advised the youth to avoid places where drugs will be available and to always surround themselves with friends who don’t use drugs.
The former president firmed that illegal drugs should never be tolerated as it causes families to be dysfunctional.
In March 2017, Duterte created the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, composed of 21 government entities and headed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
