First recovery summit held in CdeO

Private organizations based in Cagayan de Oro initiate the Recover Summit, the first of its kind in the country, in a bid to “change the conversation on substance abuse”.

The six days summit, which is slated from August 1-6, brings together organizations from all over the country and even internationally, to help drug dependents in their journey towards being sober.

The event’s theme is “Sustaining and Celebrating Life in Recovery”.

“Recovery from addiction is possible. It’s possible to live a good life without the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other drugs,” Emily Mora said, chairperson of the I Will Serve Foundation Inc., one of the event organizers.

Concerned organizations from the international narcotics league and law enforcement, treatment centers from all over the country, different modalities, therapeutic communities are in attendance of the said summit.

Among the discussions include What Happens After Treatment-A Research Study, Community-Based and Spiritual Approach to Recovery, Family Therapy, among others.

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro cited the importance of rehabilitation, pointing out that the drug issue is not only a private issue, but also should involve family and community”.

“We’re happy to have this summit, and we hope to learn from all of you how we can continue with all our limited resources. In the beginning of this drug war, we have included in our liturgy and urged communities to provide refuge and home for the drug dependents, and of course recognizing that family is the first line of support,” Ledesma said.

“We hope that together, we can work and avoid darker side of what we call now the extrajudicial killings,” he added.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno for his part said the message of hope towards drug recovery should continue to spread.

“We are almost done with the rehabilitation center and we will turn over that to our experts, part of our campaign was also the establishment of an additional male dormitory for our Cagayan de Oro City Jail, especially considering that 80% of our inmates are facing drug-related charges,” he said.

He said the City Government continues to commit to make Cagayan de Oro a drugfree city. PJ Orias