Brgys urged to treat drug surrenderers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) is asking officials of 80 barangays in the city to conduct community-based treatment (CBT) for all drug surrenderers.

COSAP chief Garry Lao made the request during last Friday’s orientation on the importance of CBT and after-care program for drug surrenderers.

“This is in continuation sa atong pag-reactivate sa atong BADAC (Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council). And usa sad ni sa mandate sa atong president nga ang mga barangay officials mag-implement og programa sa mga ning-surrender,” he told reporters.

Lao said CBT is needed since the city government does not have enough drug rehabilitation centers to accommodate the surrenderers.

CBT is just like the COSAP’s We Care program, the city’s out-patient rehabilitation program for drug-dependents.

Lao, who is also the co-chairman of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, said nine of the 80 barangays have already submitted to his office the list of individuals who have surrendered to officials. These barangays are Sambag 2, Taptap, Bonbon, Pung-ol Sibugay, Buot, Tabunan, Suba, Quiot, and Cogon Pardo.

He reminded those who have not submitted yet to do so before the month ends.

Lao said other barangays should also submit their list of surrenderers and their CBT program in their respective barangays.

“Nindot man gud ang implementation ani kay kaning community-based treatment magamit sa atong mga surrenderers nga maka-rehabilitate sila,” he said.

Next month, Lao said, the COSAP and CADAC will do a follow-up on the status on the barangays’ establishment of the CBT to check if surrenderers have indeed overcome their conditions.

Last year, the city government recorded at least 103 surrenderers.

Lao said COSAP and CADAC have to update the records, which is why they are asking barangay officials to submit their lists of drug surrenderers. —/JMD (FREEMAN)