DOH: There are only 4 licensed drug rehab facilities in Cebu

The Department of Health (DOH) only has authorized four private and public drug rehabilitation and treatment facilities to operate in Cebu, an official said yesterday.

Dr. Guy Perez, DOH 7 Licensing Division acting chief, issued the statement after three men, including two recovering drug users, were brutally murdered inside a rented house, which serves as a drug rehabilitation and aftercare facility, in Talisay City yesterday.

Perez told SunStar Cebu, though, that no private or public drug rehab facility has so far been penalized by their office for failing to secure a license with their office.

In Cebu, Perez said that the four facilities given a license by the DOH to operate are the Cebu North General Hospital Chemical Dependent’s Control and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City; DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Candabong, Argao; House of Hope in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City; and Roads and Bridges to Recovery Center in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City

The four drug rehabilitation facilities applied for their license in the DOH Central Office in Manila but it is being renewed by DOH 7 yearly.

said that those applying for a license to operate a drug rehabilitation facility have to comply and submit requirements.

Perez said this include providing physical facilities such as administrative offices, counseling and testing rooms, emergency clinic, living quarters, indoor and outdoor activity area, among others.

Applicants must also provide specific planning and design for their facilities such as specific areas for examination and treatment rooms; and counseling and testing rooms.

Separate toilets and baths and living quarters for male and female residents must also be provided.

Perez said they can penalize managers of drug rehabilitation facilities if they fail to secure a license or meet the standards set by DOH.

But Perez said that they can only penalize drug rehabilitation facilities if a complaint is filed before their office. /