Drug users should be given 2nd chance

CEBU, Philippines — While many critics express alarm on the spate of killings in Metro Cebu, several recovering drug addicts-turned-professionals took a stand in their advocacy in treating people hooked with addiction.

Renan Tumlos, 46, a consultant from the Talisay City government’s pilot project on community-based outpatient treatment and aftercare program, said it is a lie to say that drug dependents or addicts could not reform or change.

He said he and other addiction professionals and recovery coaches are living proof that it is possible for a person to get rid of what is medically known as “substance use disorder.”

He said the other seven personnel working under the program are also recovering drug addicts who educate participants of the ill effects of illegal drugs and assists them to be reintegrated into the community.

The program was born in 2016 when there was a surge of surrendering drug addicts and suspects after the government launched its relentless drug war.

Tumlos said he felt the urge to work with the government to help his fellow recovering friends who are also suffering from drug addiction.

For him, it is never easy to abstain oneself from using the illegal drugs that started during his high school years due to peer pressure until the condition worsened.

He was trapped to addiction for about two decades and had been going in and out from rehabilitation centers or facilities.

Not until he knew and joined the 12 Steps Recovery Fellowship run by the religious that he started to view a different perspective in life.

He had been cleared from illegal drugs use for 12 years, seven months, 25 days, and counting.

“Now, I am a productive member of the society. I also have a job to provide for my only child. Before, I used to steal and deceive people in order to satisfy my desire or vice,” he said in vernacular.

Tumlos’ life story is only one of the significant accounts that a recovering drug addict could share. With him yesterday were other professionals, former drug addicts but who are now handling and managing drug recovery facilities or programs.

Paul Gerard Espinosa, program director of Journey to Recovery (JTR), said there is “empathy” when recovering drug addicts help people who also underwent the same problem they had.

JTR is a private residential rehabilitation and treatment facility in Talisay City that was founded by professionals and individuals in recovery themselves like Espinosa.

He said in-patient rehabilitation may be expensive but managers also partner with the government agencies to pick worthy scholars that they can be accommodated at the facility.

He said there may be no cure for drug addiction but progression can be controlled once they are enrolled in rehabilitation programs.

Christian Tecson of the 12 Steps Recovery Fellowship said theirs is not a facility but more of holding gatherings that bring message to recovering drug addicts that they can actually be healed through a spiritual approach.

He said they help drug dependents, who already had undergone an extensive treatment, in maintaining their status of being cleared from the illegal drugs use through sharing of experiences or motivational speeches.

It is open to all but the person has the will to change and stop using the illegal drugs.

Fe Mantuhac-Barino, founder of the successful Surrender to God (SuGod) in Liloan town, has gathered the managers of the different recovery programs to be the voice of the recovering communities in Cebu.

The saturating news on the series of killings in Cebu rather arouses great alarm on the safety of Cebu residents, she said.

She said there are actually noble initiatives and programs that help curtail drug demand and reduce drug-related crimes, as well as redeem their lives and the future of their families. (FREEMAN)