Interior Secretary Joey Lina said immediate rehabilitation of the dependent is still the fastest way to wipe out drug users and consequently deprive pushers and traffickers of their business.
Lina pointed out that addiction to illegal drugs by a dependent is worsened and prolonged when he or she is not treated immediately and properly.
Lina said there are cases when family members are too scared to report a dependent to the authorities or bring him or her to a rehabilitation center.
"The dependent’s addiction is reported to the authorities only when he or she has committed a gruesome crime like murder," he said.
In other cases, Lina said families of dependents resort to only what they know or advice from friends or relatives on how to deal with and treat the dependent.
"Since the dependent’s addiction was not treated professionally, it is not eliminated entirely. The problem is still there," Lina said.
Lina said families of illegal drug dependents can go to his office or to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, both in Quezon City, for assistance in dealing with rehabilitation centers.