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[av_heading heading=’80 druggies to ‘graduate’ from rehab’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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Wednesday, May 10, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Eighty drug dependents who had undergone an eight-week barangay-based rehabilitation program will “graduate” this month.
On Tuesday the City Health Office conducted drug testing on them.
They have to test negative for drug use before they can officially complete the rehab.
One hundred five initially joined the rehab initiated by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council but only 80 remained, said Superintendent Levy Pangue of the Bacolod City Police Office.
Those who left were unable to make time because they were busy making a living, said Pangue.
The barangay-based rehabilitation program allows the drug dependents to go home after the sessions. Pangue said the “graduation” may be held on the last week of May.
Those who will test positive for drug use will be subject to further screening and recommended for a stay in a rehabilitation center, Pangue said.
Drug dependents under the rehab program surrendered to the police during the tokhang stage of Oplan Double Barrel last year.
One of them, a 62-year-old widow from Barangay 1, commended the rehab program, which is part of the intensified antidrug campaign that started under the Duterte administration in July last year.
She has been using prohibited drugs since her husband died 15 years ago but had to stop because the practice has become hazardous to her health, the widow said.
After “graduation” they may enroll in livelihood or skills training programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and may be referred to the Public Employment Service Office for possible job placement.
Another batch of more than 100 drug dependents is scheduled to undergo the barangay-based rehabilitation./PN
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