DOH to tweak drug rehab centers’ setup

The Department of Health (DOH) is planning to reconfigure the setup in drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) a few weeks after then Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Dionisio Santiago was put in spotlight.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the DOH is now making sure that drug rehabilitation services are more ideal and accessible.

"With these ongoing plans and undertakings, it can be said that no bigger effort has been mounted in the fight against drugs such as today, with so many government and non-government agencies involved recognizing that drug addiction is a multi-faceted problem that must be faced on many fronts," Duque stated.

He added that DATRCs will be developed as one-stop shops with services for substance use disorder and the management of co-morbidities and psychiatric conditions.

In addition, DATRC services will soon include treatment of substance use disorders, such as alcohol and nicotine addiction.

"Thus, regional hubs are envisioned to offer patients holistic rehabilitation from treatment to recovery, after-care and relapse prevention with maximum family involvement," said Duque.

Meanwhile, the DOH said six selected sites are currently being piloted to serve as community-based recovery facilities.

Recovery halfway homes, which shall focus on job skills and trainings for recovering patients, will also be opened soon.