Talisay willing to support rehab of drug dependents

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes is willing to provide support services to facilitate a total family and community approach in the rehabilitation of the city's recovering drug dependents.

De los Reyes was present during the signing of memorandum of agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the project that mainly benefits recovering drug dependents under the pilot program dubbed as "Strategies Toward Acceptance, Reintegration and Transformation."

According to De los Reyes, the city government is willing to support the program to promote prevention and protection of the families and communities from the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Kerwin Macopia, DSWD-7 information officer, said the target beneficiaries of START are clients who are admitted with an average of five years of drug history with no psychological disorder and age ranging from 18-50 years old or employable age.

Macopia said the program is a community-based intervention strategy particularly for recovering drug dependents who have undergone treatment, rehabilitation and after-care program in various government-owned facilities and are being prepared for discharge and reintegration to their families and community.

"Pilot testing pa ni siya, mao nga dili pa tanan nga LGU (local government unit) apil," Macopia said.

Under the program, it includes provision of psychosocial services like counseling, family camps or retreats and provision of livelihood assistance and development of life skills.

It also includes increased capacity to avail or access medicines needed for rehabilitation and facilitate continuous treatment in close coordination with the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center.

Organizing and mobilizing groups and families of drug dependents are also part of the program to strengthen the efforts in support of the program. — Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)