Questions surrounding drug rehab program

Since the start of the government’s program rehabilitating drug surrenderers across the country amid the heightened war against the illegal drug trade, thousands have already finished the recovery process and are now back with their families.

In Cebu Province, the latest to graduate were the 149 people in Medellin town who finished the rehab program after almost four months. They were part of the 255 drug surrenderers who had undergone a series of personal, skills, and religious trainings.

Well, credit should go to those behind the program not only in Medellin but in other local government units as well. They are the ones who painstakingly took the time and effort to help those drug surrenderers have the chance to reform their lives and get back on their feet.

Kudos also to the drug surrenderers themselves for grabbing the opportunity to renew their lives. By deciding to reform, they know they are well on their way to integrating back into society and becoming useful members of the community.

However, despite its success in some areas, there are still questions surrounding the recovery program. That is because there have been reports about many drug surrenderers who have completed the program but have returned to their drug business.

In fact, many have been arrested by the police for pushing drugs or using drugs. It seems their being jobless and experiencing constant boredom led them back to their drug habit. And there is the feeling of uncomfortability that makes it hard for them to integrate back into society.

We don’t think the fault lies in those behind the rehabilitation program. We believe they have done their part in helping those drug surrenderers recover. It’s those surrenderers who should be accountable for all the circumstances that pushed them back to their old habits.

Still, it would have been better if the government has the perseverance to extend the program beyond the walls of the rehab facility, meaning it should have included the process of monitoring and helping drug surrenderers find employment once they graduate to ensure they won’t return to the drug trade.