DOH opens hotline to help people suffering from drug, substance abuse

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday launched a hotline that would extend assistance to people suffering from drug or substance abuse.

DOH said its Substance Abuse Helpline1550 “will provide support and intervention to persons who use drugs, their families, as well as the public.”

The helpline, DOH added, was established “to ensure unhampered access to professional assistance for substance abuse amid mobility restrictions due to the community quarantine.”

“Moreover, the hotline was established to heighten awareness to the public and to allow easy access to information regarding substance abuse-related problems, despite the pandemic,” DOH said in a statement.

The helpline will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and accessible by landline or mobile phone.

DOH said that the helpline was established in collaboration with the Dangerous Drugs Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (DDAPTP).