ILOILO City – The government’s substance abuse rehabilitation programs have helped 19,251 persons who use drugs (PWUDs) and small-time drug offenders in Western Visayas since 2019.
The community-based drug rehabilitation program (CBRDP) produced 18,333 graduates, the treatment and rehabilitation center (TRC) with 507 graduates and Balay Silangan with 411.
Shey Tanaleon, public information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas, said the CDRP caters to users while Balay Silangan is for small-time pusher-surrenderers and users needing reformation. Both are under local government units, she added.
The TRC, according to Tanaleon, is for severe cases needing medical intervention and is in the municipality of Pototan, Iloilo.
Most of the rehabilitation completers are already reintegrated into society and have found jobs. However, they are closely monitored to ensure they will not return to their old ways, she added in an interview on Tuesday.
“We are most thankful because it was proven that one need not enter into illegal drug activities to earn a living. The aftercare in our CBDRP and Balay Silangan have given opportunities mostly to our graduates to find themselves again and look for good jobs for their families,” she said.
Tanaleon added that their families, especially, are grateful because they completed the rehabilitation and made use of the program for their reintegration.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, said the campaign against illegal drugs is directed at community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education and reintegration.
Tanaleon said one of their mandates at PDEA is to support rehabilitation, although their primary responsibility is the reduction of drugs through anti-drug operations.
“Since we have shifted to rehabilitation, it is still a part of our drug-clearing operations. It is a huge part of our sustainability in drug clearing,” she said. “We are pushing our surrenderers to complete the program and be role models for others who also would like to undergo rehabilitation.”
There are 70 existing Balay Silangan Reformation Centers in Western Visayas; the latest opened in the municipality of Cabatuan in Iloilo last month.
“There is no exact quota as to how many Balay SIlangan will be established, but local government units are encouraged to have their facility as part of drug clearing operations,” Tanaleon said. (PNA)/PN
