DAGUPAN CITY—The Department of Health has opened Alternative Learning System (ALS) and computer literacy training programs for some drug-dependent “residential or in-house clients” to address educational deficiency as part of their holistic rehabilitation approach.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Raymund Basbas, chief administrative officer of DOH-Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-DTRC) in this city said some of their clients have not finished basic education while some lack basic computer skills.
Basbas said 18 of their clients have enrolled in ALS for secondary education, while four are in elementary education since December last year.
“Their graduation from ALS will depend on whether they will pass the exams,” Basbas said on Wednesday.
The computer literacy program will begin upon completion of the construction of the center’s computer room, wherein 10 computers will be accessible for the clients’ hands-on learning.
“We will assess them (clients) on their basic computer skill to determine who will be enlisted for the program,” Basbas said, adding that new services are part of the clients’ personality development program.
Aside from this, Basbas disclosed that the Technical Skills and Development Authority regularly conducts trainings such as massage therapy and rag making while the Department of Science and Technology, on the other hand, provides livelihood programs.
“We want our drug-dependent clients to be prepared holistically before they come out to the society,” Basbas said.
Residential clients undergo therapeutic community program for 6 to 12 months and aftercare monitoring for 18 months based on the standard of DOH, said Basbas.
“They have daily whole day activities to keep them busy, which include reformation programs; spiritual enhancements; and advocacy program; prepared and monitored by highly equipped doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists,” he added.
The center also offers medical, dental and laboratory services to their clients.
DTRC-Dagupan has 189 residential male clients, whose ages range from 18 to 73 years old, from Region One and as far as Bulacan and Metro Manila. The center also caters to outpatients, who are mostly endorsed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. (Hilda Austria/PNA)
