THE Lapu-Lapu City government is encouraging residents who are hooked on illegal drugs to undergo rehabilitation by offering to pay for their treatment.
The city government has appropriated funds for rehabilitation in the facility in Argao town for those who would voluntarily seek treatment.
Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, City Police Director of Lapu-Lapu, said they noticed a drop in illegal drug trade in the city after the arrest of suspected drug pusher Demetrio Malingin last Dec. 26.
“But we don’t stop there. We have this plan to encourage drug users to undergo rehabilitation but only a few responded due to the cost it would entail.” Lawas said.
Upon learning of this plan, Lawas said, Mayor Paz Radaza asked the City Social Welfare Development office to allocate funds for those who want to undergo rehabilitation.
Malingin was arrested after shooting it out with police. He got shot in the leg in the encounter.
Aside from illegal drugs cases, Malingin is also facing murder and frustrated murder cases.