BAGONG Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy filed a measure that aims to save the youth from drug and alcohol abuse.

House Bill 4321 or the proposed Saving Young Substance Abusers Act mandates the Department of Health to provide grants to save the youth from the debilitating effects of substance abuse.

These grants to public and nonprofit private entities will be used for projects for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of young people addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Herrera-Dy said that to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the government must take cognizance of the fact that there are certain youth groups vulnerable or susceptible to substance abuse.

She pointed out that the abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol has been the cause of hundreds of accidents, crimes and deaths each year.

Under the bill, the government will  give priority to projects that target the children of substance abusers, children at risk of abuse or neglect, preschool children, children at risk of dropping out of school, children at risk of becoming adolescent parents, children who do not attend school, child laborers, and street children.