Two drug rehab centers found breaking the law

CEBU, Philippines - Two drug rehabilitation centers in Cebu are not complying with the provision of the law that drug dependents who are not rehabilitated even after their second commitment to the center under the voluntary program shall be criminally prosecuted.

The Commission on Audit discovered the questionable activities of the New Horizon Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Argao town and the Cebu City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center after it conducted an audit of the financial transactions of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The two rehabilitation centers are supposed to be under the supervision and control of the VSMMC, but COA found out that the Department of Health-Central Office is still issuing communications directly to the heads of the centers without coursing these through the head of VSMMC.

The law provides that a drug dependent, who is not rehabilitated even after the second commitment to the rehabilitation center under the voluntary submission program, shall be charged for drug use like any other offender.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the provisions of the law as provided for under Section 58 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2004 should be strictly followed. City police director Patrocinio Comendador agreed with the mayor.

The state auditors said there is a risk that the rehabilitation centers may be conveniently used only as asylum or refuge by drug users or dependents in order to evade criminal prosecution.— Rene U. Borromeo/BRP