CEBU CITY (May 22, 2024) – The Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) urged recovering drug addicts and former persons deprived of liberty (PDL) to avail of its aftercare program.

DSWS‘s Merlina Metante. | 📷 PIO / jkv

Merlina Metante, DSWS AfterCare program executive director, said her office provides aid to recovering drug users and former PDLs who wished to return to the fold.

Metante said the city’s aftercare services was made in compliance with Republic 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

She explained that the law not only penalizes convicted sellers and users of illegal drugs but also helps rehabilitate and assist them in transitioning back to society.

Metante said the public’s perception is that RA 9165 was created solely to penalize drug users and sellers.

“Pero wala nato nakita sa balaod nga nag-provide sad siya og provision nga hatagan og kahigayonan ang katong mga tawo nga na-involve aning mga kasoha aron nga mausab sila,” she said during DSWS’s Sayran Ta program over RMN Sugboanon Channel.

Metante said DSWS provides a six-month aftercare program for former PDLs and recovering drug users.

The six-month drug aftercare program is done through scheduled sessions either done at the DSWS office in Labangon or in the barangays.

Drug surrenderees undergo rehabilitation through the City’s Aftercare program

Metante said she prefers that the sessions would be done at the barangay level as it is cost-effective for her clients.

However, some PDLs would undergo sessions for 18 months depending on the court’s assessment, she added.

Aside from PDLs and drug users, the DSWS also provides aftercare services to former detainees of the New Bilibid Prison and the Correctional Institution for Women.

On the Way to Sobriety. Recovering drug users and persons deprived of liberty attend a graduation ceremony after completing the city’s six-month aftercare program

Metante said that once the PDLs and recovering drug users complete the aftercare program, the DSWS can recommend that the charges against them are dropped.

But Metante emphasized that registering for the city’s aftercare program is just the first step to a lifelong process of recovery.

DSWS‘s Portia Basmayor

“Dili ang balaod ang makapausab nila o’ ang family, kita mismo gikan nato ang pag-usab. Kita ni-aid ta nila, nitabang ta nila aron mausab ang ilang kinabuhi aron mahimo silang normal ug productive citizens,” she added.

Portia Basmayor, DSWS head, created the aftercare program when she was still with the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap).

COSAP continues to partner with DSWS in the city’s campaign to reform drug users, Metante said.

Aside from COSAP, the DSWS also partnered with other agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. | RMN / jkv

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