City pushing for drug rehab center

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) is now gearing towards the establishment of the first drug rehabilitation center in the city.

COSAP chief Garry Lao said he sent a letter to Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) requesting for the city to use at least five hectares of its property in Sitio Maomawan located in between barangays Bonbon and Babag in the upland area of the city.

“Kita, sa COSAP, nangita man gyod og venue or place para katukuran sa atong rehab facility. So, nakakita man ta. Atong gisuwayan ang TIEZA nga mohangyo ang city government nga pwede ba maka-donate sila o makahatag og space para sa atong drug rehabilitation center,” he told reporters.

Lao’s letter dated July 31 to TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas was noted by Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Lao is hoping that his request will be approved by TIEZA since the city government needs to establish a drug rehabilitation center for the drug surrenderers.

“We are hopeful that your office would approve this request, which would pave the way for the establishment of the rehabilitation center for drug users in our midst, and in the end, helping the drive to minimize crimes and promote peace in our city,” he said.

He said there is no design, concept, and budget for the drug rehabilitation center yet since the most essential part is the place where this center will be constructed.

Lao is confident that the city can find budget for the center.

“Ang makanindot ani is daghan tang matabangan ug daghan tang ma-save lives because COSAP cares for our drug surrenderees,” he said.

While waiting for the establishment of the center, Lao said the city government, through COSAP and different Barangay Anti- Drug Abuse Councils, will continuously conduct the community-based treatment (CBT) to all drug surrenderers.

Lao said the community-based treatment is just like the COSAP’s We Care program which is the city’s out-patient rehabilitation program for drug dependents.

He said it’s better for the city to continue the program since it would some time to establish a drug rehabilitation center.

He added there are at least 139 patients under We Care program and there are some of them that have completed the program already. — MBG (FREEMAN)