Rowena Cruz participated within the Sturdy Households program run by the native authorities by way of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Pasig (ADCOP) and supported by the United Nations Workplace on Medication and Crime (UNODC).
Daniel Dickinson spoke to her and mom of 5 Arlene Alvarez and their respective daughters Angelique and Wasmia forward of World Drug Day, which is widely known each June 26. He additionally met with Zenaida Concepcion, Pasig’s anti-drug abuse officer.
UN Information/Daniel Dickinson
Arlene Alvarez (left) and Rowena Cruz (proper) and their daughters Wasmiya and Angelique met on the Sturdy Households Program in Pasig Metropolis, Philippines.
Rowena Cruz: I’ve three youngsters, ages 18, 16 and 10, and I began to fret about my son (the center youngster) when he grew to become extra distant and unable to speak about his issues. There are individuals promoting unlawful medication in our neighborhood so I fear about him being beneath their affect, though he tells me he has by no means accomplished medication. He was additionally depressed, had expressed suicidal ideas, and the entire household was feeling careworn.
Arlene Alvarez: I labored as a home employee in Kuwait for six years with out seeing my 5 youngsters. Till I got here again in 2020, they have been taken care of by my aunt as a result of I’m a single mom.
Three years in the past a buddy instructed me that my son was utilizing marijuana, and naturally I used to be frightened that different younger individuals would lead him to different, tougher medication. I felt a giant hole between myself and my youngsters because of my absence and wished to affix the Sturdy Households program to learn to higher talk with them and assist them make extra knowledgeable selections.
Zenaida Concepcion: Filipinos, particularly dad and mom, have a tendency to not specific their feelings. This could result in stress, and careworn youngsters could also be influenced by different younger individuals, particularly when medication are concerned. Because of this open communication inside the household is so essential as a safety measure.
After we launched the Sturdy Households program in 2019, the Philippines was within the midst of a battle on medication, so individuals have been very nervous about even speaking about medication, and repair suppliers weren’t providing community-based options to abuse. The Philippines has very strict drug legal guidelines; possession of drug paraphernalia alone may end up in a jail sentence of as much as 12 years.
Rowena Cruz: I attended the Sturdy Households program with Angelique and I realized quite a bit about find out how to talk extra overtly. I made progress after my husband and I spotted that as dad and mom we did not all the time have the solutions. We aren’t all the time proper. My son is doing a lot better now, can speak to me about his life, and lately requested me what reward to present to his girlfriend. I like to recommend shopping for a teddy bear.
Angelique: It is a good present. My siblings and I’ve turn into nearer; I used to really feel jealous due to their shut relationship. My sister is aware of extra of my secrets and techniques as a result of she is a woman. I instructed her what I realized from my mother, and she or he listened. Now after I draw, my brother helps me.
UNODC/Laura Gill
Wasmiya loves taking part in with balloons within the Sturdy Households program.
Arlene Alvarez: As a mum or dad, robust households have helped me turn into extra affected person and attentive to my youngsters’s wants. They’re now in a position to speak to me about their emotions and at the moment are good at asking one another how they’re doing. My son is doing nice and he is aware of that speaking about points like medication will help as a result of he’ll really feel much less peer stress. He has a baby of his personal now, so I’m a grandmother.
Vasmia: On the session we attended, I loved taking part in with balloons however not a lot drawing. My favourite topic at school is English and I like taking part in volleyball.
