MSU at  Naawan Strengthens Commitment to a Drug-Free Campus Through Benchmarking Visit to DOH DATRC Bukidnon 

In a continued effort to build a safe and drug-free academic environment, Mindanao State University at Naawan conducted a meaningful benchmarking visit to the Department of Health – Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH DATRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on February 8, 2024. The visit aimed to strengthen MSUN’s institutional strategies on drug abuse prevention and reinforce its ongoing initiatives under its campus-wide Drug-Free Policy.

The delegation from MSUN was warmly received by Atty. Klarc Patrick B. Gontiñas, Chief of Hospital III, and Dr. Vincent Mari Angelo W. Laguardia, Chief Health Program Officer of DOH DATRC Bukidnon. The engagement provided a rich platform for exchanging insights on effective drug prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation programs—focusing on approaches that are both compassionate and community-centered.

Leading the MSUN team was Asst. Prof. Sylvia C. Labial, Director of the Office of Student Services and Development (OSSD), along with Guidance Counselor Mr. Francis Artchess Babao, College-designate Guidance Counselor Assoc. Prof. Juvy S. Arjona, Drug-Free Policy Chairperson Mr. Voltaire M. Bernal, Policy Secretary and Committee Members, and selected members of the MSUN Kaabag Team.

The benchmarking visit is part of MSUN’s broader commitment to institutional wellness, student welfare, and responsible campus governance. By learning from best practices of national institutions such as DOH DATRC, MSUN aims to enhance its drug prevention policies, early intervention mechanisms, and holistic support systems for students and employees alike.

This initiative reflects MSUN’s resolve to go beyond compliance, taking a proactive and research-informed approach to drug-free advocacy, empowering its stakeholders through knowledge, compassion, and strategic partnerships.

As MSUN continues its journey toward becoming a model of a safe and healthy learning environment, partnerships like this underscore the importance of collective action in fostering a campus culture rooted in care, accountability, and community well-being.