CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) IV-A announced that it has certified a total of 111 Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Programs (CBDRP) from different local government units throughout the Calabarzon region.

Theresa Malubag, Regional Outcome Manager for the Substance Abuse Prevention Program of DOH IV-A said during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) Advocacy Cluster that out of the total of 142 LGUs in the region, the province of Cavite with 23 CBDRPs has 100 percent certification rate after the rigorous   validation process by the agency.

CBDRP is an integrated model for drug users with moderate risk for drug dependence and/or mild substance use disorder. Individuals who are under the program were provided with care from outreach and low-threshold services through coordination with health, social, and other non-specialist services needed to meet their needs.

Local governments were given the mandate to implement CBDRPs, depending on available resources and the number of clients they accept.

The health department, however, sets guidelines to which LGUs must adhere to have an effective CBDRP, such as adequate promotion of anti-drug use; and establishing prevention guidelines by having a health service provider and screening tools for drug screening tests.

DOH also requires setting up treatment centers, forming a referral system between local governments and health service providers that will conduct drug dependence examinations, and having functional recovery clinics, psycho-social and spiritual services, and specialty service providers.

According to the latest DOH IV-A data dated Feb. 20, 2024, only 31 LGUs remain uncertified in the region. The majority are from the province of Quezon with 15 uncertified CDRPs, 10 from Batangas, and 3 in Laguna and Rizal, respectively. They target certifying all CDRPs by the end of March.

Malubag assured that they will continue to assist barangays in the region to attain a drug-cleared and drug-free declaration within their communities.

“Validation and certification are required for all applicants in the government's drug clearing program. [Our] training on screening, providing interventions, and referral to treatment will continue for the validation of barangays to be declared drug-free,” she explained.

The DOH said that the drug-clearing program in the Calabarzon region will be further intensified through the promotion of a campaign for a drug-free workplace, disseminating information for advocacy and policies, providing technical assistance, and distributing drug test kits to local government units. (CCM,CH/PIA-4A)