On November 18, 2021, USAID Renew Health, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Dangerous Drugs Board, launched a video contest to recognize Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation (CBDR) Community Champions.
In line with this year’s theme “Share facts on Drugs, Save Lives,” and as part of the celebration of the Drugs Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week 2021, the video contest aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions of CBDR Community Champions in drug prevention awareness. The contest will showcase efforts in implementing CBDR programs initiatives to emphasize the message that with the support of family and the community, persons who use drugs (PWUDs) can break free from drug dependence and maintain their recovery.
“The launching of the USAID Renew Health CBDR community health champions video contest is very timely in the HBP priority area for preventing substance abuse and ongoing preventive education campaign aimed at reducing the desires of a person to use and abuse dangerous substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. We hope that through this contest, community champions will be properly recognized by those who have experienced drug use and recovery and have inspired others and those who have contributed significant achievements in the CBDR implementation in the LGU,” a message from Dr. Dominic Maddumba, Health Promotions Bureau Division Chief, DOH.
“Fear and shame remain significant barriers for drug users to seek support and proper intervention. It is important to continue to emphasize and share the message that recovery is possible and there is no shame in seeking help. This is the intent behind the video contest that we are launching today. We want to give those who have recovered from drug abuse a platform to inspire others and support them as well. We also want to recognize our CBDR community champions who have contributed to their recovery,” shared Dr. Michelle Lang-Alli, Office of Health Director, USAID in the Philippines.
Video contest mechanics
Local partners of USAID RenewHealth can submit up to 2 entries of 1-3 minute videos featuring their respective CBDR community champion in action.
Each video entry should feature CBDR Community Champions -- real people, men and women of all ages and backgrounds who at one time have experienced drug use and have been rehabilitated or have recovered using the CBDR approach. CBDR champions may also include healthcare workers, community volunteers, or local government officials who have made significant achievements in CBDR implementation in local government units.
These community champions should also be featured lip-syncing the refrain of the song "Adhikain", inspired by Jazmin’s (a former PWUD who completed CBDR) spoken word poem delivered during her CBDR program graduation. Another important content for the video is how the project sites have used the social behavior change communication materials developed by USAID RenewHealth. Videos will be judged based on the use of social behavior change materials, choreography, lip-syncing, popularity (most number of likes), and overall impact. The deadline for submission is on January 7, 2022. Winners will be announced on January 21, 2022.
“We are grateful that despite the pandemic, USAID Renew Health continues to do its task to achieve a drug-free community. Celebrating initiatives of our implementers through the CBDR community champion video contest campaign is a simple way of recognizing the impact of such programs in removing stigma in the drug campaign and encouraging the persons who use drugs to seek treatment. Let us continue in one accord as we continue to fight illegal drugs. Every person is important. Every life matters. Let us help one another towards recovery and change,” noted Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Benjamin Reyes.
Let’s fight the stigma and inspire others to start living healthier lives. To learn more about the USAID Renew Health CBDR Project, visit the project’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CBDRProjectPH
