Barangays urged to fund rehabilitation of drug offenders

City officials urged the one hundred twenty-eight barangays to provide funds for the rehabilitation of at least two drug users or dependents for outpatient treatment and rehabilitation for a period of three months.

Under Resolution No. 517, series of 2022, city legislators underscored the need to strengthen the barangay anti-drug abuse councils (BADACs) to monitor the drug activities and the users in their respective areas of jurisdiction, including drug users and their dependents who voluntarily admit to using the prohibited substances for their immediate rehabilitation and treatment.

During the Senior Citizens Officials for a Day (SCOFAD) session held on October 17, 2022, the SCOFAD council adopted the proposal of SCOFAD Councilor Zoraida C. Clavio that urged the city’s barangays to provide funds for the rehabilitation of at least 2 drug users or dependents for their outpatient treatment and rehabilitation for a period of 3 months.

The council noted that the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the health department, through their respective mandates, are committed to support the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users to help bring them back as productive citizens of society again.

The body claimed that competent and accredited physicians in accredited outpatient treatment and rehabilitation centers are providing a medical and scientific approach for treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

Further, the council stipulated that such medical approaches or interventions when done regularly would promise big chances of healing and recovery for the full re-integration of the patients to the society.

From the time of diagnosis, a drug user must be brought to a reputable outpatient treatment and rehabilitation center regularly.

However, the said endeavor entails a huge financial responsibility which oftentimes is beyond the capacity of the patient or his or her family, thus, the need for the barangays to contribute their available resources to be able to realize the rehabilitation and treatment of the drug users. – Dexter A. See