Private drug rehab program gets Lapu mayor’s support

CEBU, Philippines — The treatment program for drug surrenderers being introduced by a retired Norwegian social worker and organizer on Olango Island is getting support from the Lapu-Lapu City government.

Mayor Paz Radaza has acted positively on the complaint of the initiator of Wayback Olango, Bjorn Norman.

Radaza finally invited and met Norman for over an hour at her office last Tuesday and they talked about what Wayback Olango is, its vision, accomplishments, and future plans.

 “The meeting will sure be the foundation of a constructive cooperation,” Norman told reporters.

At the meeting, Norman introduced their plan to provide job training for their rehabilitation clients.

“Clients that have gone through the first program stage can, if they want, become qualified professionals in several branches of the, still fragile, local economy on Olango Island. In the year ahead we hope to create 30 to 50 jobs for our clients and we hope we can do this together with the city government of Lapu-Lapu,” he told Radaza.

Norman explained why it is vital to have his planned Wayback Academy and Resource Center on Olango. The services offered there can then later, via Internet, be also made available to the other barangays in Olango and even the rest of the Philippines.

Also present during the meeting was Barangay Captain Nelson Melancolico of Sabang, Olango, which is the host barangay of the program.

“The mutual feeling is that we have established a good understanding concerning our projects and we look forward to go on together,” Norman said.

On August 11, the Wayback Olango program was officially launched in Sabang.

More than a year ago, Wayback Olango started with the practical planning of a dedicated program for drug addicts in the island, in close cooperation with the Sabang officials.

Within 30 months, Wayback Olango envisioned to already be able to offer all drug addicts on the island a personal treatment program.

Norman, however, said this can only be achieved with the support of the local government unit and the barangays made through formal written agreements.

Wayback Olango’s treatment is based on spiritual communication, constructive and practical contacts and work training.

In Sabang, while 10 drug surrenderers have relapsed and dropped out, Norman said they already have more than 20 clients who are active in their rehabilitation program who are showing progress. (FREEMAN)