Taguig comes up with wholistic approach to aid drug dependents
No rehab centers, no problem
Facing the predicament of having not enough drug rehabilitation centers to treat the hundreds of drug addicts who responded to the Duterte administration’s Oplan Tokhang, the city government of Taguig has come up with an alternative solution as it offers a wholistic approach that will help the national government in its vigorous anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Mindful of the devastating effects of drug abuse on individuals and communities, the Taguig Anti-Drug Abuse Council (TADAC) crafted a Drug-Free Community Program which aims to transform drug dependents into productive members of the society and also promote the Anti-Drug Abuse Advocacy of the city.
Taguig’s Drug-Free Community Program is a two-month program that will engage drug dependents in the following activities:
- Physical activities – to make the participants adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle and naturally detoxify harmful chemicals from their body as they perspire.
- Seminar and counseling – to enable them to have a constant source of guidance and support from the community.
- Medical check-up and drug testing – to check on their commitment to the rehabilitation program.
- Livelihood program- to equip them with training and skills that will promote better chances of recovery.
“The current drug situation has reached alarming proportions and the national government needs the help of local government units to eradicate the drug epidemic,” said Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.
She said this is Taguig’s response to the lack of drug rehabilitation centers in the country.
Local government units (LGUs) are mandated by law to assist the national government in enforcing R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Mayor Lani, who also chairs the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), expressed optimism on the city’s anti- illegal drugs program. The lady mayor at the same time is appealing to all sectors of the society especially families to love one another and support each other as lonely people are more vulnerable to drug abuse.
“Studies indicate that loneliness has a connection to drug addiction. That is why we need the love and support of our loved ones to protect the members of the family to drug addiction. Under our Drug-Free Community Program, we have included seminar and counseling in the list of activities. Our program will rehabilitate not only the body but also the mind poisoned by the illegal substance. To make sure that drug dependents will stick to their commitment of being drug-free, they will undergo a medical and drug test. We will also provide them with livelihood programs,” the mayor added.
“These are baby steps in our fight against illegal drugs. We will work hard to make the program a success,” Mayor Lani said.
Record from Taguig City Police station states that during the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, there have been 483 drug dependents in the city who have so far surrendered and made a commitment to stop their drug activities.
Taguig Chief of Police Senior Superintendent Allen Ocden expressed confidence in the city’s Drug-Free Community Program.
“After the successful implementation of Oplan Tokhang, we faced the dilemma of where to rehabilitate the victims of illegal drugs. The city’s Drug-Free Program is certainly a welcome development as it will help our effort in driving people out of drug addiction”. ###