The Makati government assisted 64 drug users who volunteered to undergo counseling and rehabilitation, from July to September of this year.
The Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council-Treatment, Rehabilitation and After Care Division reported to Mayor Abby Binay that of the 64 surrenderees, 30 have been admitted to various rehabilitation centers, 23 were enrolled in their counseling program, nine were referred to the National Center for Mental Health and two are still under assessment and observation.
Madac chief Sr. Insp. Allan Esquillo said eight individuals were voluntary surrenderees from seven barangays where the Makati police conducted Oplan Tokhang operations. One came from San Isidro, one from Carmona, one from Poblacion, two from Olympia, one from West Rembo, one from Rizal, and one from Cembo.
“Through a series of screening and testing, we determine if a patient already needs to undergo rehabilitation or should be referred to a mental institution instead. However, if the level of drug dependence is not so severe as to require confinement, the patient is enrolled in our counselling program,” Esquillo said.
The Madac chief also pointed out that rehabilitation must be voluntary, but minors need the consent of their parents. He said the patient must be willing to undergo the program. “Otherwise, a concerned party, usually a family member who wants to help his or her loved one who is a drug user, may file a petition for compulsory rehab in court,” Esquillo added.
From July to September, the council facilitated the rehabilitation of 11 drug users from District 1: one from Bangkal, two from La Paz, two from Olympia, one from Palanan, one from Poblacion, two from San Antonio, one from San Isidro, and one from Tejeros.
For the same period, 19 drug users from District 2 were admitted to rehab: three from Cembo, one from East Rembo, five from Guadalupe Viejo, one from Southside, two from Pembo, four from Rizal, two from South Cembo, and one from West Rembo.
The council said patients are guided through initial screening and assessment, screening and referral, drug testing, intake interview, psychological exam, drug dependency examination, and securing of court order if necessary.
Patients for rehab are usually referred to centers including the facilities of the Department of Health in Bicutan and Tagaytay, and other private rehab centers preferred by the patient or his or her family.
Meanwhile, residents and workers in nine condominiums and 10 commercial establishments in Legaspi Village, Makati were given handouts and flyers by members of the Makati police and barangay officials of San Lorenzo on Tuesday, as part of Oplan Tokhang.
The door-to-door information drive dubbed “Kapit Bisig Kontra Droga” was started last month in the city’s six exclusive villages after homeowners agreed to open their gates to the campaign following a dialog with the police and local officials.
Among the condominiums covered in the drive were The Colonnade Residences, Legaspi Park View, Cattleya Gardens, One Legaspi Park, Greenbelt Chancelor, Perla Mansion, Doña Angela building, Greenbelt Parkplace, and Legaspi Tower.
The drive was also done in commercial establishments, including the Union Church of Manila building, ECC International, Prince Building, Port Royal, SEDDCCO building, One Palanca Land building, Basic Petroleum building, PT&T building, Prudential building and Sycip Law Center.
According to the Makati Station Anti-Illegal Drugs, 1,333 individuals have surrendered under Oplan Tokhang as of September 30. Of these, 1,119 were drug users, while 214 were pushers.
In September, an information drive against illegal drugs was held in Bel-Air, Dasmariñas, Forbes Park, Magallanes, San Lorenzo, and Urdaneta.