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[av_heading heading=’Lapuz druggies snub rehab’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, May 6, 2017
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ILOILO City – In a “community change center” in Lapuz district, no drug surrenderers submitted themselves for rehabilitation that should have started in January.
They were supposed to be among the second batch of community-based drug rehabilitation clients in the city.
The city government was puzzled. “Ang gina-worry namon ang sa Bo. Obrero, Lapuz nga center kay wala, zero gid sila ya,” said Dr. Bernard Caspe, City Health Office (CHO) head. “Ga-wonder man gani kami.”
All community change centers from the seven districts catered to 207 drug surrenderers for the first round of rehabilitation that started in September 2016.
At least 250 surrenderers were supposed to compose the second batch, whose rehabilitation should have begun on Jan. 16, Caspe said.
According to the CHO head, it will take at least 90 full days of rehabilitation before the surrenderers could “graduate.”
Caspe said he will meet with barangay captains and the police to seek help in encouraging surrenderers from Lapuz to undergo rehabilitation.
City hall turned gyms in every district into community change centers in response to the need for rehabilitation facilities that will cater to the throng of surrendering drug dependents as a result of the government’s intensified crackdown on drugs.
These were the Arevalo District Gym in Arevalo, Barangay Zamora Gym in City Proper, Jaro District Gym in Jaro, Barangay Railway Gym in La Paz, Bo. Obrero Gym in Lapuz, Barangay Katilingban Gym in Molo, and Barangay Oñate Gym in Mandurriao.
Meanwhile Caspe noted that some drug surrenderers were frequently absent, while others reported late to the rehab centers.
Those who were frequently absent “without apparent and valid reason” will have to restart the rehabilitation, he stressed.
On the other hand, those who have completed the rehabilitation will undergo “aftercare.”
They will still have to report to the rehab center every week for monitoring and drug testing, Caspe said.
So far the city government recorded two drug surrenderers who, despite completing the rehabilitation, tested positive for drug use. They were referred to the police stations in their districts, said Caspe.
Most drug surrenderers who completed the rehab had “notable improvements.”
“Some of them were already employed, while others went back to school or underwent TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) training,” said Caspe. “They were also now well-groomed with a positive attitude.”/PN
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