Drug surrenderers hurdle rehab program in Sogod

CEBU, Philippines — Some 396 drug surrenderers are now ready to return to the fold of society after completing a six-month community-based treatment rehabilitation program in the northern Cebu town of Sogod.

They were former drug dependents from the town’s 18 barangays who took advantage of the government’s rehabilitation program.

In a statement, Mayor Lissa Marie Durano-Streegan said the road to recovery and reform of the surrenderers was a collective effort of the community.

"Success in this program is formulaic and needs everyone’s cooperation, from our end as officials and of course the commitment of the participants and their respective families," she said.

The mayor said the initiative was in support of the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"It is thus hoped that everyone stays on the path away from illegal drug use," she said.

Program consultant Bretel Aballe said they were very happy to note that out of the 673 identified surrenderees, 396 successfully complied and completed the program.

"The 60 percent is a new record-high for the said program. May the example of Sogod be replicated elsewhere," said Aballe.

The program is a joint effort of the Sogod municipal government, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education.

Also contributing to the program were various religious groups particularly the Roman Catholic Church, National Auxiliary Chaplaincy of the Philippines, Seventh-Day Adventists, Iglesia ni Cristo, Born Again Christians, and various other denominations.

Monitoring and various programs are expected to follow as part of the town’s anti-drug initiatives (FREEMAN)