Does community drug rehab work?

Last Saturday afternoon eight individuals were arrested inside a drug den in Barangay Kinasangan, Cebu City, three of them had previously been arrested for a drug-related case and completed a Community-Based Drug Rehab Program (CBDRP).

That same day a man was arrested in Barangay Suba also for drugs. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the man had also undergone and finished CBDRP in that barangay.

Of course, such cases are not unique. There have been many instances before where some people arrested for drugs were found to be repeat offenders who actually underwent and finished some form of drug rehabilitation.

We don’t have the actual figures to say that the CBDRP is an overall failure so we can’t say that it is and we sincerely hope it isn’t. However, what is clear is that for some people it would seem that CBDRP just isn’t getting through to them.

What could authorities be doing wrong here or where are they coming up short? Is it in not totally removing their craving for drugs? Is it in not making rehab patients understand the dangers of drugs? Is it in failing to shield them from the influence of drugs and drug peddlers?

Or perhaps it is in failing to provide them with stable livelihood after they have completed drug rehab? Many people arrested the first time or for the nth time for drugs always point out the need to make a living as something that drove them to sell it the first time or again.

We hope those implementing community-based drug rehab know that a cookie-cutter approach won’t work for all, and that each individual has unique circumstances that dictate how they get tempted, resist, or relapse into drug use again.

Whatever the reason, some barangays should look into how their drug rehab programs are being implemented because like those who spend time in prison to come out better criminals, those who supposedly undergo and complete rehab for drugs return to using them with a passion.