DOH backs Tacloban’s drug-free city bid

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 22 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed support to the city government’s “New Beginnings for Change Program” designed to rehabilitate drug dependents.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial told local officials here Thursday that she is upbeat that the city will achieve the drug-free status.

"The war on drugs anchors on the belief that people can change, people can be reformed. Through this program, drug dependents will have a hope of a better future,” Ubial said during the summit at the City Convention Center here.

The official asked concerned agencies to continue to work to completely eliminate the drug menace in the regional capital.

Report from the city police showed that of the 138 villages in the city, 36 have been declared as drug-cleared areas and 11 have been certified as drug-free.

As of end of August 2017, the city has 4,402 drug personalities who surrendered to the local police.

“The New Beginnings Program” is a local government-led drug rehabilitation program aims to prevent the distribution of drugs and help in the recovery of users.

Ubial pointed out that illegal drugs use is not just a security or a criminality issue, but a chronic and recurring mental health illness.

"We believe that we cannot do this alone, this war against drugs. We need the entire community, the police, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the jail guards, the anti-narcotics agents, the social workers, and the teachers,” Ubial added.

Heads of national government agencies, key city government officials, government workers, and village officials joined the summit that concluded late Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez said that the “New Beginnings for Change Program” is the city government’s holistic approach in dealing with the drug menace in the city.

“This is a manifestation of our passion to see a drug-cleared Tacloban where people are empowered to thrive and experience an improved quality life,” she added.

The program goes beyond the fight against illegal drugs as it incorporates other focus area of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the mayor said.

The summit was an expression of unity and synergy toward building of changed lives. (LAAA/with reports from Pearl Marie L. Ecaldre, OJT/PNA)