Philippine Embassy in Rome Holds Drug Awareness Seminar For Filipinos

Dr. Corrado Galluzzi, President of Associazione “Gruppo Il Ponte” - San Patrignano Pisa, a pioneer support community in Italy for lost youth involved in all types of addiction, serves as the guest speaker for the Drug Awareness Seminar organized by the Philippine Embassy in Rome on 29 September 2019 in Pisa, Italy. (Rome PE photo)

ROME 14 October 2019 — As part of its Assistance-to-Nationals program for Filipinos under its jurisdiction, the Philippine Embassy in Rome organized a Drug Awareness Seminar in Pisa on 29 September 2019.

Associazione “Gruppo Il Ponte” - San Patrignano Pisa President Dr. Corrado Galluzzi served as guest speaker. His association is a pioneer, and important non-profit support community in Italy committed to guiding lost youth involved in all types of addiction, including illegal drugs.

Dr. Galluzzi explained that while drug dealing is a serious crime in Italy and can be prosecuted, drug consumption or dependency is still debatable, considering that Italy respects the free choice of the individual. For this reason, it was necessary to create organizations in Italy for the safeguard, prevention, information, treatment, and physical, mental, and social rehabilitation of drug addicts and for supporting their families, the ones most affected by drug problems. He further stressed the importance of having a dialogue and to monitor the youth.

Both the drug dependent and the families in Italy can request help from Italian public facilities. The drug addiction service, Servizio Tossicodipendenze (SERT), is available in all Unità Sanitaria Locale (USL) and Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL). Both local health authorities administer blood tests and various medical therapies. Based on the gravity of the case, they may contact private centers or associations for a closely monitored recovery. Facilities such as those of San Patrignano deal with detoxification and total rehabilitation, including making people socially fit, with work and/or study paths for reintegration into society.

The Embassy meanwhile briefed Filipinos about certain aspects of the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy, provided tips to avoid committing illegal drug possession or trafficking offenses, and contact details of offices to get in touch within case of drug problems. END

Dr. Corrado Galluzzi (left), President of Associazione “Gruppo Il Ponte” - San Patrignano Pisa, a pioneer support community in Italy for lost youth involved in all types of addiction, responds to questions from attendees of the Drug Awareness Seminar organized by the Philippine Embassy in Rome on 29 September 2019 in Pisa, Italy. (Rome PE photo)

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Nadine Rosario M. Morales (right) briefs Filipinos on certain aspects of the Philippine Government’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy and provides tips to avoid committing illegal drug possession or trafficking offenses, and contact details of offices to get in touch with in case of drug problems during the Embassy’s Drug Awareness Seminar on 29 September 2019 in Pisa, Italy. (Rome PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.romepe.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinItaly/.