Center relies on experience to help drug addicts recover

CEBU, Philippines —  Just like in a similar cliché, it takes a drug addict to help another addict redeem themselves from substance dependence.

It may be hard to believe, but a drug rehabilitation facility in Cebu is a testament that the best people to help solve this problem are those who experience it themselves.

Safehaven Addiction Treatment and Recovery Village, established in 2016, is a drug rehabilitation center that has been helping a lot of drug-troubled individuals suffering from mental, emotional, and physical abuse.

And most of the people manning the facility are former drug users themselves.

Unlike other facilities, they focus on helping drug addicts recover through more of a spiritual approach than medicine and a psychiatric perspective.

Ronnie Delos Santos, Safehaven President, said he founded the facility to disprove the stigma about drug rehabilitation being a rough area for change.

Speaking from his experience, Delos Santos shared that their main inspiration for creating the facility is to create a shelter for drug victims where they can find peace amidst chaos, either running from their minds or the stereotypes they encounter from society.

"We live in a world that is so broken and so noisy, and at times we do not know how to cope with it. And so we resolve to do unwanted things such as taking a substance (drugs). We need a place where we can rest. We are loved, accepted, and supported. So, we need a "safe haven," said Delos Santos.

The facility caters to its beneficiaries through different stages of engagement, which start from a 15-day detoxification assessment (cleansing of drug substances in the body system), psychiatric evaluation, treatment plan (family sessions with a life coach), medication, and aftercare (preparation for their outside life after recovery).

Designed to look like a rest house, instead of an actual rehabilitation site, their clients could enjoy their amenities while in rehab, such as their outdoor pool, sports area, and gym.

They could also have an opportunity to enjoy Zumba classes and stay in air-conditioned dormitories, among others.

Fame and Berta

Despite the success they reached, Delos Santos shared that their biggest obstacle was convincing society of their advocacy and receiving enough financial support to keep the facility running.

As the facility merely relies upon sponsorships of the private sector through their BAI (Battle Against Ignorance) Foundation, Lito Gruet, Executive Director of BAI, shared their struggles dealing with skeptical investors.

It is difficult to prove to them that drug addicts need help also, said Gruet.

Gruet was a former actor and model who once lost fame, fortune, and reputation because of drugs. He now advocates for BAI to help, most especially, children recover from abusive and drug-exposed environments.

But everything changed for Safehaven when Berta came.

Berta was a native of Alcoy who tried his luck with his family to live a good life in Cebu. But then, he had a tough life and grew up wandering the streets.

Berta resorted to drugs.

The homeless man went viral in 2020 when he was discovered by several groups of bloggers and rescued by Safehaven.

But ironically, Safehaven, which was then financially struggling, was salvaged by Berta's popularity.

He is now in charge of the facility's record section and Zumba instructor.

The mirror

One of the proud strengths of the facility is that almost all of its staff are former drug victims who recovered and decided to help others like them to have a new life.

Glenn Buenaventura, one of Safehaven's life coaches, shared how he sees himself in every drug addict he helps.

Buenaventura was exposed to drugs since childhood because of a lack of parental guidance.

One night, realizing he needed help, he came literally knocking on Safehaven's doors, and he was not disappointed when the facility welcomed him.

"Safehaven was a breakthrough in my life. Now my family is proud of me, but I am more proud of myself for seeing others like me recover and discover how beautiful life is outside of drugs," said Buenaventura.

For Emmanuel LLeños, director of Safehaven, the facility was his "saving grace" for bringing his family's trust back, particularly for his wife and mother.

"I get so emotional every time I remember that because of drugs, I once hurt one of the most important people in my life, my mother. But with the facility's care more than treatment, I am able to become a son, a husband, and a father again,” said LLeños.

Government support

The facility now calls on the government, particularly the Cebu City local government unit, to aid them with enough financial funding and help more drug individuals recuperate across Cebu.

"We have this dream that one day wala nay taong grasa sa karsada. Ma-showcase ang Cebu nga naay nindot nga drug rehabilitation program ba mangaayo sila, wala sila gipamatay unya sila na ron ang basis sa social aspect," said Delos Santos.

"Bisan huruton pana tanan addicts ug taong grasa sa karsada, just provide us with enough resources. You don't even have to give us a salary," he added. — Robhe Jane Yara, GAN (FREEMAN)