Drug dependents ink commitment to reform

More than 500 drug surrenderers in Daanbantayan, Cebu have joined the ‘Pirma Kontra Druga’ program organized by the police and the local government unit (LGU).

The program started last Sept. 9 and is held every Saturdays.

Daanbantayan Police Chief Irish Delim said the main objective of the program is to strengthen the defense of their rehabilitation for the drug surrenderers of the municipality.

Daanbantayan has 1,479 drug dependents who surrendered in the police’s Oplan Tokhang.

“Ang ato nga makuha nato ang ilang commitment nga dili na sila mubalik sa paggamit (illegal drugs) ug ilang suportahan ang programa nga giandam sa gobyerno kanila,” said Delim.

She added that they started only with less than 100 drug surrenderers and it ballooned to 519 participants after three weeks of running the program.

“Akong nakita ug based pud sa akong pakig-estorya nila (drug surrenderees) nga na-appreciate nila ang atong gibuhat. Kay sa una daw bugalbugalan sila sa mga tawo, karon atong gipakita nila nga kauban nila ang gobyerno ug ang kapulisan sa ilang pagbag-o,” Delim said.

Each drug surrenderee has submitted a form that contained their oath and signature not to get involved in any illegal drug activity.

She added that the Daanbantayan police will not stop convincing the other drug surrenderers to join the ‘Pirma Kontra Druga’ program.

The first batch of participants already started their recovery session together with the graduates of Rehabilitation and Reintegration program of Bogo City.

Bogo was the first city in the region declared as drugcleared.

Delim said that they adapted Bogo’s rehabilitation program and they are glad with the support from the LGU and the community.

For four months, the drug surrenderers will be subjected for drug tests twice a week. This is to assure that the surrenderers keep their oath not only to the police but also to the community.

“Ang amo man gud nga og magsige ta ug arrest diha niya wala ta’y gibuhat para sa atong mga drug surrenderees maong ni-come up mi ani. Later on, maka-partner ra usab ni nato sila sa (campaign against illegal drugs) kung makuha nato ilang trust,” Delim added.

On Sundays, the operatives of Daanbantayan also conduct an awareness program through ‘Lakaw Kontra Druga, Ang Kahayag Ipasa’ which will be conducted in different barangays.