Families, community urged to help drug dependents submit to treatment

By Carina L. Cayon

DAVAO CITY, May 9 (PIA) – An official of the local government-run rehabilitation center in the city has called on the help of the community, families and other sectors of the society in urging drug dependents to submit to treatment.

Dr. Gene L. Gulanes, manager of Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (DCTRCDD) raised the need of support to increase voluntary submission of drug dependents to be treated and rehabilitated.

Gulanes said the number of patients admitted at DCTRCDD in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District this city, has increased this year “because many have volunteered to be rehabilitated.”

From last year’s 80 patients, 96 compromising of 55 minors, 45 are adults (36 male and 5 female) are under treatment at DCTRCDD this year, he disclosed.

However, Gulanes said that the ten percent increase of voluntary submission is still low as the city government is aiming for more drug dependents to voluntarily submit themselves for treatment.

"We need the support of the community, families and other sectors of the society," he implored as he advocated for a unified fight against use of illegal drugs.

Gulanes said the DCTRCDD has enough facility and personnel comprising of social workers, psychologists, nurses, house parents and administrative workers to handle the program and care for the patients.

He said that the city government has strengthened the capability of the center with its annual budget allocation of P8 million.

The Dangerous Drugs Board has granted a P500,000 assistance to support the center, he added. 

Part of the intensified treatment and rehabilitation program is the after care and follow-up program where rehabilitated patients will be monitored through visits of social workers in the community.

Gulanes said that the success rate of rehabilitated drug patients after their release from the center is 80%.

He disclosed that most of the center’s patients who are minors and who come from the low income sector used Vulcaseal product, a volatile substance used for sealing, patching and filling of leaks.

He said this is the most abused substance used by minors after hardware stores have been banned in selling rugby to minors. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)