Cebu Capitol’s Anti-drug Body Uses Village-based Basic Drug Rehab Program

The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) has introduced a village-based basic rehabilitation program that offers psychological education, life skills, alternative activities and counseling to surrenderees of Oplan Tokhang.

Pocholo delos Santos, CPADAO consultant, said they cannot accommodate all of the more than 23,000 suspected drug personalities who have surrendered in one facility so they will need the help of barangays.

He said they will train workers in barangay health centers because the rehabilitation will take place there.

Surrenderees may not undergo full rehabilitation, but they will go through basic rehabilitation, delos Santos said.

He said they are affiliating with other government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health and the police.

Delos Santos added they are not promising jobs to drug addicts.

“They need to take care of their bodies first. How can they find employment and work if they are addicts?” he said.

Delos Santos said that when the three-month program is over, the province will focus on a long-term program that will eliminate drugs in the barangays. (PNA) LDV/EB/EDS