Leni proposes drug rehab programs

Vice President Leni Robredo proposed drug rehabilitation programs during a briefing on the government’s war on drugs at the Department of the Interior and Local Government ( DILG) main office in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Among those who attended the briefing were DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno and Executive Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., who heads the anti- poverty cluster of the Office of the President.

During the meeting, Robredo urged local government officials to adopt the anti- drug abuse program implemented in her home city of Naga to help the thousands of drug offenders in the country.

The Philippine National Police said around 700,000 drug pushers and users have surrendered to authorities under Oplan Tokhang since July 1.

“My question is, where are these 700,000 individuals? The plans are there, but let’s admit that it will take a while for us to operationalize those plans,” Robredo said.

“There are existing antidrug programs that we can use. It’s hard if we will start from scratch because we really need to catch up. It’s like the 700,000 came first before the program, and not the other way around,” she added.

Robredo cited the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan, a program on good governance that promotes partnership between local parishes and barangay chiefs for better delivery of basic services.

The program was initiated by Robredo’s husband, the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

“I believe the government’s drug rehabilitation program will be effective if this is faith-based,” the Vice President said.

She also mentioned the Naga City Anti-Drug Abuse Council and the Barangay Anti- Drug Abuse Council or BADAC, which she said are active in implementing programs.

Robredo noted that while the establishment of BADAC is required under the law, many barangays have not created such councils or the existing units are not operational.

“Drug rehabilitation is not easy. It’s not being addressed by the program alone, it really has to be an entire community affair,” she said.

She said the local government of Naga has also organized the Mothers Against Drug Abuse or MADA, a program for parents whose children are hooked on drugs.

Robredo said Catanduanes also has a good anti- drug abuse program.