TWO provinces on Friday signified their intent to give parcels of their land to the government to help in the rehabilitation efforts for drug users.
Following the appeal of the Interior Department, the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Quezon said they were willing to provide land on which rehabilitation centers can be constructed.
Interior Secretary Mike Sueno said the department is now finalizing arrangements with other LGUs which have expressed their commitment to support the anti-illegal drugs drive by donating land.
“I hope this will be replicated in all regions of the country. To our LGUs which have a wide area of land to spare, please give them to the government so that we can build rehab centers to help the drug addicts in their journey to better lives,” he said.
In the past few days, thousands of drug users and pushers have turned themselves in to police and local government authorities after the President’s pronouncement that he would crack down on illegal drugs.
With the mass surrender of drug dependents, Sueno urged LGUs to donate land to build more rehab centers to help drug users change their ways and lead more productive lives.
Not all regions in the country have rehabilitation centers where drug users could undergo a program to help them cope with addiction.
Sueno added: “The lack of rehabilitation centers is a real problem because most of them are in Metro Manila and there are only a few of them.”
Sueno said that he has also met with some people interested in helping the government’s campaign by putting up more rehabilitation centers.
“The illegal drugs problem is a societal menace. Hence, we are also encouraging private individuals or entities to also join in the government’s efforts for the rehabilitation side of the drug campaign,” he said.
The DILG Secretary likewise started talks with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority which can help conduct livelihood trainings for drug dependents.
Drug users who have stopped schooling can also be enrolled in the Alternative Learning System program of the Department of Education.