PDEA, DDB asked to maximize existing drug rehab facilities

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go has reminded drug authorities to maximize all existing rehabilitation facilities to give drug dependents who want to be reconditioned a chance to reform themselves.

During the budget hearing of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Go asked the agencies to fully utilize the rehabilitation centers on top of the community-based method.

He said a total of 54 rehabilitation centers, 19 of them operated by the Department of Health (DOH), private rehabilitation centers and a combined 5,300-bed capacity in all existing centers in the country, are being wasted.

Go asked PDEA director general Aaron Aquino why there were reports of low occupancy, while urging the agencies to be more steadfast in encouraging drug dependents to register and rehabilitate themselves through the facilities offered by the government. 

“Our facilities are being wasted and are not being utilized fully like those in Bukidnon. A lot of funds have been shelled out,” Go added. 

Aquino said the best rehabilitation method for illegal drug dependents is a community-based treatment. The PDEA chief also noted that it is hard for many drug dependents to enroll in such facility mainly because of proximity to their families.