Out of 33, barangays in the city, a total of 24 have been declared as drug-free workplace, fulfilling the city’s commitment on combatting illegal drugs and criminality, and providing safer environment for the Valenzuelanos. 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirms the declaration of these drug-free workplace barangays through the Drug-Free Workplace Committee in the barangay. 

The barangays of Canumay East, Punturin, Bignay, Pasolo, Mabolo, Arkong Bato, Canumay West, Dalandanan, Lawang Bato, Rincon, Pulo and Malinta in District 1, and barangays Mapulang Lupa, Maysan, Paso de Blas, Parada and Karuhatan in District 2 have all complied with the basic requirements of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 2, Series of 2004 guidelines for the implementation of Drug-free Workplace Program. 

These include the passage of a Workplace Anti-Drug Abuse Policy, Creation of a Workplace Anti-Drug Abuse Committee (WADAAT), publication and signing of policy to all employees, conduct of Anti-Drug Abuse Orientation to employees, conduct of compulsory drug test and corresponding action, and evaluation and issuance of resolution for the declaration. 

“All sustaining efforts will be done to keep these barangays drug-free workplace. We’re targetting to declare the remaining barangays at the end of this month”, DILG- Valenzuela Director Mary Jane Nacario said. “They have to do a yearly compliance report on the drug testing activities conducted to their personnel. We persistently motivate these barangays to continuously conduct anti drug abuse initiatives in accordance to the programs implemented locally and nationwide,” she added. 

The PDEA has declared the barangays of Wawang Pulo, Tagalag and Coloong as drug- cleared barangays. Three more barangays are just awaiting the official certificates of declaration. 

Likewise, VADAC has reported a total of 941 clients undergoing the Community Wellness Rehabilitation Program; 15 clients for the Facility Based Rehabilitation in Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center in Magalang, Pampanga, and 66 clients in Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Nueva Ecija. 

On March 5, 41 patients who have finished their rehabilitation program in the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Nueva Ecija. They belong to the second batch of center-based rehabilitation program graduates of the city since 2016. The first batch of 141 clients graduated last May 2017 from the Central Luzon Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Center in Magalang, Pampanga