US experts to train drug rehab workers

The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday that drug dependents undergoing treatment in rehabilitation facilities may soon get better remedy as local narcotics authorities are set to undergo training on more effective means of handling drug abusers.

In a statement, the DOH noted the approach, called Therapeutic Community Modality (TCM) which foster the personal growth of individuals. This could be attained by changing their lifestyles through a community of concerned people who would assist them.

This approach involves constant reality checks on the part of each individual through immediate processing by the center’s staff on the cause and effect of their behaviors toward other community members, the DOH added.

The agency said the training would be conducted by top officials of Daytop International, a pioneer in TCM in the US. The project, however, is being funded by the US State Department.

Participants will include physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other paramedical staff.

DOH records showed that there are 66 rehabilitation facilities in the country and they employ various approaches in handling their wards.

Some of them are using Faith-based Modality where behavioral change is encouraged through faith and may include various religious principles.

Very little scientific evaluation has been done regarding this modality. Treatment and rehabilitation centers (TRCs) that use this approach are usually run by church-based groups, the DOH claimed.

The agency said that during the training, participants would be taught how TCM should be implemented and how to modify the American model to tailor-fit the Filipino culture.

The DOH added that there are around 6,000 drug dependents and more than half of them are being served by eight government-funded rehabilitation facilities nationwide.