ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study is to assess the implementation of the National Drug Education Program (NDEP) in Public Secondary Schools of Tarlac City Schools Division for School Year 2016-2018. It purposely involved all fourteen public secondary school heads and teacher NDEP leaders. A sequential exploratory mixed method of research was utilized in the study. Descriptive measurement was utilized.
Findings of the study revealed that: majority of the respondents are female, aged between 31-40 years old, married, with MA/MS units, and only few attended School NDEP in-service trainings for the last three years. As to the extent of implementation of NDEP activities carried out along alternatives, it was generally described as “strongly implemented”. On the otherhand, information, education, and intervention were found out to be “weakly implemented” by the respondents. On the other hand, along research, it was described as “very weakly implemented”. Topmost problems/challenges encountered were “lack of financial support and available NDEP seminars/training”; “time constraints to implement the program due to work overload”; and “insufficient Drug Abuse and Prevention instructional and reference material.” As to the significant themes and insights of the study identified were; lack of sustainability to carry-on the program, NDEP focal persons has many other programs/activities that needs to carry-out, lack of awareness among five NDEP components, and needs constant support among stakeholders.
Keywords: Drug Education, Program Implementation