Solon admits being reformed drug addict

(Updated) Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves on Monday admitted that he used to be a drug addict and has not taken drugs for 16 years.

In his privilege speech delivered during the plenary session at the House of Representatives, Teves said he has been “clean” for 16 years already.

“I would like to take this opportunity to admit… As a recovering addict, I was a very long time a drug addict. But I had been clean for the last 16 plus years,” Teves said.

He lauded the Duterte administration’s efforts to crack down on the drug addicts who were surrendering by the hundreds amid the administration’s bloody war on drugs criminals.

“I had fears that the Philippines was on its way of becoming a narco state,” Teves said.

Teves also proposed a cheap rehabilitation program for drug users at P2,500 per addict.

He said this would be made possible by using public school classrooms for drug rehabilitation sessions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

He said this would lower the drug rehabilitation program from P90,000 each person to P2,500 per drug dependent.

“This is the time they have the most cravings; that’s why I suggest we make use of this time to help make use of our classrooms in rehabilitation of our surrenderees,” Teves said.

He said the drug surrenderees may also hold rehabilitation sessions in the morning at the covered courts of the local government unit.

Teves said the drug users who surrendered should not be ashamed for accepting that they are afflicted with a “disease” of drug abuse.

“Surrender does not mean physical surrender, but the acceptance that they have a problem,” Teves said. JE