DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Negros Oriental emphasized that the Barangay Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) should take the lead in the resumption of Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) which was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ato lang i-emphasize na kanang CBRP supposed to be BADAC-led unta siya. Dapat active ang atong BADAC ana. Per barangay man ang pag-conduct atong CBRP together with the health office. I think the DILG is also looking into that na dapat active inyo BADAC (I would like to emphasize that the CBRP should be led by the BADAC. The BADACs should be active because the program is carried out per barangay with the health office. I think the DILG is also looking into the functionality of the BADAC),” said DOH Provincial Officer Dr. Socrates Villamor in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum here.

Villamor admitted that there are local government units (LGUs) that were not able to conduct a CBRP over the past months as most health officers and workers are currently focused on the COVID-19 vaccination drive. 

He clarified that although it is the DOH that is the lead agency at the national level for the CBRP, it is the BADAC in coordination with the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) that are the chief implementers of the program on the ground.

“Gitan-aw na karon sa DOH kung unsay pwede nga solusyon ana  nga ma-continue siya. Siguro we will have to meet somewhere kung unsaon na nato pag-continue ang wala kahuman ug wala pa start para intawn maka-graduate na sila. I know kana drug surrenderers nato gahulat pod na sila para maka-graduate sila (The DOH is now looking at solutions to ensure this program will continue. Perhaps we could also meet and discuss ways to resume this program for the benefit of those who have already undergone treatment and waiting for their completion or those who would like to start their treatment. I know there are many drug surrenderers who are waiting for the completion of their program),” Villamor added.

He also reiterated the government’s call to the public to avoid substance abuse and illegal drug use as it can cause damage on one's mental and physical health.

Some of the ill-effects of substance abuse or illegal drug use may include extreme weight loss, and in some cases it can bring damage to heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs which could result in complications such as depression of lungs, abnormality in heartbeat, coronary heart disease, and organ failure especially when a person is also taking other types of drugs or alcohol.

In terms of its negative effects on a human’s mental health, Villamor said substance abuse or illegal drug use can affect a person’s memory, concentration, and learning.

Persons involved in substance abuse can also experience anxiety, depression, paranoia, panic disorder, and hallucination.

It could also affect a person’s behavior, such as increased aggression, prone to become impulsive, increase in risk-taking behavior, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, difficulty in maintaining personal hygiene, and relationship problems.

Villamor reminded the public on these adverse effects of substance abuse and illegal drug use in line with the province’s observance of National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week held on the third week of November.

This year, the observance focuses on the importance of combating disinformation campaigns about illegal drugs and heighten public awareness on the negative effects of drug abuse to make them less susceptible to the myths and inaccuracies surrounding illegal drugs as reflected in this year’s theme “Share facts on drugs, save lives.” (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)