THIRTY-SEVEN drug surrenderees have registered for the technical-vocational courses with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Iloilo.

These drug dependents have undergone counseling and rehabilitation services given by the Police Regional Office.

Of the 37, seven are women with the youngest aged 16 years old and the oldest, 57.

Tesda-Iloilo said the women registrants would like to train in cookery, massage services, and beauty care while the men listed welding, driving, carpentry, and electrical installation and maintenance as courses they want to train on.

PRO Director Jose Gentiles said the rehabilitation may not necessarily bring out persons totally clean from drugs.

“But I am happy that they have turned to government for help,” Gentiles said.

“We expect a relapse for some, but at least, we have started telling them that there is hope after the rehabilitation,” he added.

The rehabilitation included intensive support counseling from the Narcotics Anonymous, an organization that promotes mutual help addiction recovery for substance abusers.

The Tesda said it is committed to provide training for drug surrenderees as part of their rehabilitation and reintegration process. (PIA)