CEBU, Philippines — The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has granted Mandaue City ?9.5 million in financial support to renovate its facilities and integrate community-based mental health and drug rehabilitation programs in the city.
Mandaue City Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (SAMHSO) head Ben Manzano said that this initiative is the first of its kind, aimed at integrating free substance abuse and mental health services for Mandauehanons.
“We are happy because mora’g in-line ra pud ni siya sa amoang mga gipanghimo diri nga gi-integrate na nato ang substance (abuse) ug mental health,” said Manzano.
The SAMHSO, formerly known as the Mandaue City Substance Abuse Preventive Office (SAPO), primarily offers free drug testing and facilitates the rehabilitation of patients.
Following the decision to include substance abuse and mental health services under their jurisdiction, the office was officially renamed SAMHSO after approval by the city council and the city mayor's office.
Manzano stated that the ?9.5 million financial support from the DDB aligns with SAMHSO's goal of providing services not only for drug rehabilitation programs but also offering free mental health services.
“The national government is also looking into ways how to do that and we are happy that they are looking at Mandaue City as a template on how to do this in a wider scale,” said the SAMHSO head.
He said that once the renovation of their current facility is completed, it will result in the creation of three separate facilities. The new facilities will include a drug testing laboratory, an outpatient rehabilitation facility for drug programs, and a community-based rehabilitation facility for mental health services.
He added that the renovation of their facility is in addition to their ongoing application with the Department of Health to convert it into a primary healthcare facility.
“Ma one-stop shop na ni siya na building for those Mandauehanons nga in need of mental health service or even primary care service for health not just for mental health,” said Manzano.
He added that they are just waiting, as they expect that by the first week of December, the formal signing for the renovation funding, along with DDB, will take place. The signing will either occur with DDB visiting Mandaue City or city officials traveling to board’s central office.
Meanwhile, Manzano said that for now, SAMHSO only offers outpatient services since stay-in patients require more financial support and an improved facility.
“Ang atoang facility dili pa siya capable and plus ato pang gitan-aw ang financial nga needs kay stay-in mas taas-taas, mas dako-dako ang needs,” said Manzano.
He said that outpatients can avail themselves of the assessment programs offered by SAMHSO, where they will receive appropriate interventions and, if necessary, be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further care.
Manzano said that their office is looking forward to catering to stay-in patients in the future to help them, as they also want to assist in their recovery.
“Naa man tay mga clients, mga patients nga in need of inpatient nga treatment mao na siya ang atoang gusto,” said Manzano.
DAPC Week
Opened on Monday, November 18, Mandaue City is extending the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week throughout the entire month, with the theme “Prioritizing a Health-Based Approach in Drug Abuse Prevention and Control”.
Manzano said that the celebration focuses more on the “warriors” of the city.
He explained that warriors is a colloquial term used in Mandaue for individuals who use drugs and clients of substance abuse.
“Since ang atoang perspective naman gud sa substance use disorder is more of a health perspective mao na ang atoang gi-gear upon,” Manzano said.
Currently, SAMHSO has recorded a total of 3,642 clients, with 1,039 of them being ongoing clients.
Manzano said that of the 1,039 ongoing clients, 846 are receiving aftercare, which is handled at the barangay level under the supervision of SAMHSO. Meanwhile, SAMHSO handles the intensive and ongoing cases.
In celebration of DAPC, SAMHSO will conduct a free medical mission next week, inviting warriors from all barangays of Mandaue City, along with their families.
The office will also partner with other government agencies and non-government organizations to offer a caravan of services for the warriors.
Aside from that, they will also hold a contest among the clients through a basketball league and showcase their talents in “Warriors Got Talent”.
Manzano said that the grand culmination will take place on November 29, called Unity Day, where all the warriors can share their testimonies of how they have recovered. He added that the event will be a celebration of the warriors' lives. — (FREEMAN)