ABOUT 40 drug reformists completed the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) of Bacolod City.
The CBDRP was initiated by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) in various barangays.
Sally Abelarde, head secretariat of Cadac, said yesterday they will hold the culminating activity of the second batch of the drug reformists on July 27 at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC).
Of the more than 100 enrollees, only 40 completed the eight-week program facilitated by Cadac, she said.
“It needs a total commitment so they can finish the eight-week CBDRP activities for them to start a new life,” she added.
The drug dependents were among those who surrendered to the 10 police stations in Bacolod. They were endorsed to Cadac for rehabilitation.
Abelarde said Cadac evaluated more than 400 drug surrenders, but only a few joined the program.
She said the drug rehabilitation team is composed of personnel from the City Health Office, Bacolod City Police Office, and the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
After the graduation, the 40 drug reformists will undergo another drug test to ensure they are no longer using illegal drugs and those who will be found positive will enroll in another batch of the program.
Abelarde said the City Government will give a livelihood program to the drug reformists.
She said the social worker will evaluate the drug reformists to ensure that they are qualified to avail the livelihood program.
“We have to determine their skills so that we will know that they are capable to manage their livelihood assistance,” she said.
Last year, a total of 65 drug reformists under the first batch also completed the drug rehabilitation program in Bacolod.
Cadac will hold the third batch of CBDRP within the year.
In 2016, Bacolod City has about 4,000 drug surrenderers.