■ 500 DRUG SURRENDERS COMPLETE REHAB PROGRAM

More than 500 drug surrenderers this earlier week were able to complete the six-month community rehabilitation program organized by the municipality of Argao. The 569 former drug users were recognized in a ceremony with the Argao Municipal Government and the Department of Health last Tuesday. Mayor Stanley Caminero told SunStar Cebu that they started the program last April as a way to address the growing number of drug personalities who surrendered to the local police through the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang. Around 1,748 drug personalities in Argao surrendered to the police, Caminero disclosed. When they started the program, more than 800 drug surrenderers attended their weekly sessions. For 24 weeks, the drug surrenderers would undergo sessions on values formation, psychosocial counseling and role modeling, among others. Aside from counseling and sessions, the drug surrenderers would undergo a weekly drug test to determine if they’ve stayed clean for the entire duration of the program. Caminero said they secured the support of numerous volunteers, including those from different religious groups, to help them in reforming the drug surrenderers. They also secured the support of the Department of Health(DOH) especially in providing kits from the drug testing. For those who successfully graduated in the program, Caminero said they are eligible for skills training, which the town plans to provide. Caminero said they will also let some of the reformed drug surrenderers to serve as facilitators as a way to continue the program.