Therapeutic scheme for drug users in Bataan jail

BATAAN PROVINCIAL JAIL — In a bid to help cure the imprisoned drug users, the Bataan Provincial Jail is preparing a scheme which the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is set to launch as the “Therapeutic Community Modality.”

Superintendent William Tauli, provincial jail warden of Bataan, revealed yesterday that the scheme is a brainchild of BJMP Director Serafin Barretto, who initiated the program to make the penal system not just an institution for reform, but an instrument of rehabilitation.

“Actually, our Boss, director Barretto was the one who created this idea and he wanted to spearhead this all over the country to help the government in curing and rehabilitating the drug pushers and users to make them live again in a normal way of life,” pointed out Tauli.

He said that he had already discussed the program with Gov. Abet Garcia who also appreciated the idea and now supports it.

During the launching of the Therapeutic Community Modality program, Tauli said there will be speakers coming from the BJMP who will conduct lectures for selected policemen, personnel from the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and of Health (DOH), and others stakeholders.

“Then, they (participants) will spearhead it down to the barangay level, which in turn, the barangay officials will also do the same lectures to the surrendered pushers and ushers,” pointed out Tauli.

He said this scheme is expected to be beneficial especially to the big number of arrested drug suspects since the assumption of President Duterte to power last June.