DOH plans to set up four drug recovery homes in Cebu province
The Department of Health in Region 7 (DOH-7) plans to establish at least seven drug recovery homes in Central Visayas, four of which is proposed to be in Cebu province.
DOH-7 Medical Officer Dr. Dino Caing told The FREEMAN that recovery homes are anticipated to be put up next year to cater to moderate cases of drug dependency separate from the community based treatment (for mild cases) and residential rehabilitation centers (for severe cases).
"What is definite in the proposal is that there will be seven (recovery homes) in Region 7 so as to augment facilities for non-residential drug treatment and rehabilitation," said Caing, who is taking charge of DOH-7's Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.
Caing represented DOH-7 in the national conference held in Makati City last week where some developments in the agency's drug abuse prevention program were given.
Caing said four recovery homes are planned for Cebu province; in Mandaue City, Cebu City, Bogo City, and Carmen town.
The other three recovery homes are planned to be set up in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and in Siquijor town, Siquijor.
Caing said the proposed recovery home in Mandaue City is sure to push through as it will be the pilot center in Central Visayas.
Caing said the establishment of new drug recovery homes will address the need for treating drug dependents with moderate level of addiction.
He said these facilities will hold more frequent counseling sessions compared to community-based drug treatment programs. The recovery homes and the community-based drug treatment are two types of outpatient services.
Severe cases of drug addiction, on the other hand, need to be handled by residential or in-house rehabilitation centers.
One DOH-run center has already been established in Argao town, Cebu.
Caing said the plan was to build one center per province. Proposed centers for Bohol and Negros Oriental provinces are yet being deliberated.