Makati sorts drug users, sends 9 to mental hospital

Nine drug users from Makati City have so far been referred to the National Center for Mental Health after seeking assistance from the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac).

In a report to Makati Mayor Abigail Binay, Madac chief Senior Insp. Allan Esquillo said the Treatment, Rehabilitation and After-Care (Trac) division has assisted 64 drug users who volunteered to undergo counseling.

“Through a series of screening and testing, we determine if a patient already needs to undergo rehabilitation or should be referred to a mental institution instead,” Esquillo said on Thursday. “However, if the level of drug dependence is assessed to be not yet severe as to require the said options, the patient is enrolled in our counseling program.”

Of the 64 patients from July to September, Madac has facilitated the admission of 30 drug users into various rehabilitation centers, 23 were enrolled in the counselling program, nine referred to the mental hospital, and two patients are still under assessment and observation.