Former drug users relapse

Eighty-nine out of the 1,747 individuals profiled by the Ateneo de Davao University Center Against Illegal Drugs (Addu-CAID) who are recovering from an addiction have relapsed or returned to drug use after undergoing treatment.

Josh Laguna of the healing and recovery program of Addu said the university have partnered with 28 barangays in Davao City to help them in the rehabilitation of drug personalities through clinical screening in their communitie.

However, although there were several persons who sought for their help, there are still those who returned to the use of illegal drugs. Those who were apprehended by police during buy bust will be automatically dropped from the Community-Based Rehabilitation Aftercare Program (CBRAP).

On those who relapsed, 72 have returned to the use of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and 17 for marijuana.

Once they tested positive for three consecutive months, they will now refer them to the police and Department of Health (DOH) for confirmatory test as Addu-CAID only handles those who have mild cases of drug use.

One of the factors that drove these individuals back to drug use is their peers and the kind of environment they are in. Thouse who are experiencing depression also sought illegal drugs.