THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 yesterday said that the Balay Silangan in Danao City is designed to totally reform drug surrenderers.

PDEA 7 public information officer Leah Albiar said that most of the beneficiaries of this pilot project are people who were convicted by the court through plea bargaining and those who surrendered to authorities not as drug addicts but as drug pushers.

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III turned over to PDEA 7 the Balay Silangan Reformatory Center in Central Visayas last Sept. 27 in the presence of PDEA 7 Director Wardley Getalla, PDEA 7 preventive education and community involvement director Donelyn Hemedez, and Director Leocadio Trovella of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The turnover was witnessed by 103 drug reformists in Danao City, who have completed their treatment program.

Durano said, “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.”

Albiar said that enrollees of Balay Silangan will stay for three months to attend sessions on the anti-illegal drug laws, moral recovery and skills training to be given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (EOB)