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[av_heading heading=’ Iloilo City drug rehab program seen as ‘model’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Saturday, September 9, 2017
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ILOILO City – The Health department was looking into the drug rehabilitation program of the city government as a model drug intervention initiative, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
“CrossRoads,” a four- to six-month outpatient treatment, was the only rehabilitation program of its kind in the Philippines, said CHO head Dr. Bernard Caspe.
The program has so far produced 408 graduates. Additional 273 drug dependents were undergoing rehabilitation in seven centers.
Local health officials were supposed to present CrossRoads to the Health department central office in Manila but the presentation was “postponed indefinitely,” Caspe said.
City hall was waiting for information when it can finally present the program, he added.
A brainchild of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog with an Ilonggo psychiatrist as consultant, CrossRoads was launched in August 2016 in support to the antidrug campaign of the Duterte administration.
One rehabilitation center manned by trained health and support personnel was established in each of the seven districts.
According to Caspe, the program had an 85-percent success rate.
Some of the attendees were unable to finish the program for failing to complete the 90-day mandatory attendance, while others would test positive for drug use even after rehabilitation, he said.
Rehabilitation finishers were continuously monitored.
Required to undergo aftercare, they go back to the center at least once a week. They were also subject to random drug tests.
Some availed themselves of skills training available at the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, while others looked for employment with the help of the city government’s Public Employment Services Office.
After the one-year aftercare, the graduates will get a certificate of rehabilitation, which they may use in looking for jobs abroad, Caspe said.
CrossRoads was ready to accommodate more patients, the city health officer said.
The program caters only to slight up to moderate addiction. Severe addiction cases were being referred to an inpatient facility in Pototan, Iloilo.
The CHO has 97 dangerous drugs evaluators responsible for determining the level of addiction of drug dependents. (PNA)
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