Gov’t and NGOs meet to synch rehab programs

Differing mechanisms pushed local health authorities to harmonize the communitybased treatment and rehabilitation for drug dependents who can still be managed with outpatient services.

The Department of Health-7 recently convened concerned stakeholders, especially anti-drug units and drug prevention bodies to discuss the standardized module for the barangay-based program.

Drug Rehabilitation Specialist Dr. David Baron said the recent consultative meeting with stakeholders on substance abuse and aftercare program was held to solicit updates on the respective community-based programs of local government units.

Baron is the current chief of hospital of DOH-run Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Argao town, Cebu. He also is in the forefront of training medical personnel who handle the community-based program.

Baron said other LGUs expanded their program and integrated some interventions they deemed suitable to their own settings. He said LGUs are allowed to do so as long as they align their community-based program with the guidelines designed by DOH.

However, some stakeholders admitted some setbacks hindered the implementation of the program. In particular, some stakeholders said that some Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils are inactive while others lack support from barangay officials.

Among the attendees of the consultative meeting are officials from the Cebu City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention and the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office. Also present were officials and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Baron said there is a need to "harmonize" the mechanisms adopted by local health officials.

To recall, local entities, both in the government and the NGOs, established individual strategies to provide help to a huge number of drug dependents who earlier surrendered to police authorities.

The gathering was initiated after higher health officials issued, through administrative order, the guidelines for community-based drug treatment and support services.

DOH established a special body that developed the formula on dealing with surrendering drug dependents. The framework, which specifies the flow for recovery from substance-related issues, was approved by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

BRP