GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of South Cotabato is targeting to start early next year the construction of its planned provincial drug rehabilitation and treatment center.
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said they started the preparatory works for the establishment of the facility, which had an initial budget of P4.8 million.
She said the center would be constructed inside the compound of the Upper Valley Community Hospital in Surallah town through public-private partnership.
Discussions are underway between the local government and a group of businessmen for the implementation of the project, she said.
“I know our budget is not enough but I am thankful that a private partner has signified to help us complete its construction,” Fuentes said.
The governor said a team from a national business group, which she did not disclose, earlier visited the area to evaluate the needs of the provincial government, among them the planned establishment of a drug rehabilitation and treatment center.
The group, with assistance from South Cotabato second district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez, offered to help fund the construction of the facility, she said.
Fuentes said that the province needs to have its own drug rehabilitation and treatment center to cater to the needs of local drug dependents.
Since last year, the provincial government documented around 9,000 Surfacing Personalities Involved in Illegal Drugs (SPIDs) within the province’s 10 towns and lone city.
She said it would complement with ongoing efforts by the national government against illegal drugs and criminality.
The official said studies showed that there is a connection between substance abuse and various crimes such as domestic violence, drunk driving, robbery, assaults, among others.
“So having rehabilitation available is going to be really helpful for us,” Fuentes said.
The local government had signified to replicate the Department of Health’s (DOH) outpatient treatment and after care program in Davao City for the rehabilitation and treatment of the province’s SPIDs.
The planned facility will mainly handle the counseling of residents with drug use problems to enable them to cope and manage with their cravings for prohibited drugs and relapses.
It will teach and instruct the SPIDs in the prevention and management of relapses; develop new social networks and peer-group programs that will operate in a self-help orientation under professional supervision; provide services to increase their self-reliance and integration into society through educational, vocational, and social programs; enable them to identify and alleviate high risk factors of drug use problem; and, assist them to develop positive social support system.
The facility will spearhead the development and introduction of skills training for service providers and families of the SPIDS in dealing with high risk factors; development of community-based treatment services for accessible facilities with quality services and support groups to assist them in the recovery process and maintenance of abstinence; and, coordinate and collaborate with partner agencies to sustain and improve its services.(AC/PNA)
