EDITORIAL - Investing in rehabilitation

Fearing for their lives, drug abusers continue to present themselves to authorities in droves. The results of Oplan Tokhang have dramatically shown the extent of the drug problem in the country. But the mass surrenders have also shown the dismal inadequacy of facilities to help drug abusers kick the habit.

Authorities estimate that there are from 600,000 to 700,000 drug abusers nationwide. They can’t possibly all end up dead with cardboard signs identifying them as drug abusers or pushers who must not be emulated. If their promise to mend their ways is to be fulfilled, they will need help. In the case of the poor, such help must come from the government.

Last week, health officials were happy to announce that four so-called mega rehabilitation centers would soon be set up for drug abusers. Two are planned in Luzon and one each in the Visayas and Mindanao. Even four mega rehab centers may not be enough to accommodate hundreds of thousands of drug abusers, but the plan is a good start, considering the acute inadequacy of the nation’s drug rehabilitation facilities.

Appearing before the Senate over a week ago, then Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Felipe Rojas said the government operates only 15 of the 44 existing rehab centers nationwide; the rest are privately run and are generally more expensive. Even with combined capacities, the 44 can accommodate only 5,000 patients. Rojas placed the drug rehabilitation success rate at a low 24 percent, with most of the patients hooked on shabu and marijuana.

Rehabilitation is costly; Department of Health officials say the government spends an average of P10,000 a month per patient, and recovery can take time. But at least with the war on drugs showing the scale of the problem, people are pitching in. DOH officials say they have received commitments from the private sector to help in the rehabilitation effort.

Apart from building mega rehab centers, the government can consider setting up limited outpatient or at least counseling facilities in provincial health centers. With proper guidance, there are drug abusers who can quit cold turkey.

A pervasive drug problem calls for an effective rehabilitation program. The required investment may be hefty, but it will show the nation’s commitment to the idea that people deserve a second chance.