CEBU, Philippines - Liloan-based Kaalam Foundation, Inc. (Kaalam) has expanded from just rehabilitating drug dependents through an outpatient drug recovery program to designing a holistic approach that will include their spiritual conversion.
The foundation opened just this week with a series of trainings for those who are interested to become drug rehab facilitators.
Fe Barino of Kaalam told The FREEMAN yesterday that the training started yesterday with 47 participants from different communities and drug rehabilitation centers in Cebu.
She said there will be a three-day training that tackles on drug addiction and another four-day session for coach training.
Participants have to pass the examination before they can be accredited by an international accreditation body as "drug addiction prevention professionals."
Barino added this initiative is in preparation for the February-21 launching of the Cebu Archdiocesan's program for drug rehabilitation.
She said the program proponents also intend to send some trained individuals to the different parishes to disseminate and facilitate the drug recovery program.
Addressing the country's problem on drug addiction has been one of the great challenges confronting the government, which is currently launching an all-out war against illegal drugs.
The Cebu archdiocese earlier said that it will "open its doors" in the effort to assist in the drug rehabilitation.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in support to the program, had been urging the laity, faith-based groups, lay organizations and movements to help drug dependents who wanted to change.
Kaalam was one of those that responded, collaborating with the Cebu Archdiocese and partnering with charitable institution It Works! Chemical Dependency Treatment Center, Inc. in establishing Sugod (Surrender to God).
After the facilitator's program, a 10-day seminar workshop is also designed for the out-patient drug dependents.
One of its objectives is to "transform the lives of participants from drug-dependence to God-dependence."
The lay-initiated drug recovery program was launched in Liloan, Cebu.
At present, the group has already accommodated at least 307 participants from different localities. (FREEMAN)