Drop-in centers for druggies to be set up

ILOILO CITY—Poor people hooked on drugs can take that first step toward recovery in “drop-in” centers to be created in communities here amid the shortage of facilities in Western Visayas.

The centers will be established for those who have voluntarily surrendered to authorities and are willing to undergo rehabilitation in each of the city’s seven districts—Jaro, La Paz, Molo, Arevalo, Mandurriao, Lapuz and City Proper. These will be launched starting Aug. 15.

As of last month, a total of 2,069 drug users and pushers have given up in the city and 14,243 in the entire Western Visayas, which covers the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Guimaras.

Only two rehabilitation centers exist in the region. The Department of Health-run Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Pototan town in Iloilo province, already admitted 80 patients above its 50-bed capacity, while the privately operated Dynamic Psychiatry Institute in Oton town, also in Iloilo, has already reached its full 25-bed capacity.

Health and police officials earlier raised concern over the lack of facilities to cater to the thousands of drug users who have surrendered amid a massive police campaign against illegal drugs.

Rehabilitation, which may last three to six months, is also beyond the reach of most drug users. Cost of treatment, excluding medicine, ranges from P10,000 monthly in government centers and P25,000 to P60,000 monthly in private facilities.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the city government had initially allotted P5 million for the drop-in centers, which will be drawn from its peace and order fund. Each center will have a psychologist, a nurse, three peer facilitators and a record custodian or utility person.

The centers will address the needs of people with mild and moderate addiction to drugs, Mabilog said. Those with severe cases need confinement and will be referred to the Department of Health.

Patients will be provided spiritual and psychosocial counseling, periodic drug testing, vitamins and post-care follow-up for a year in the district facility.