Pubdate: Sat, 23 Feb 2002
Source: Sunstar Pangasinan (Philippines)
Copyright: 2002 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/news/news_article_affiliate.php3?id=13842
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1726
Author: Fred Roxas

400 DRUG USERS TO 'GRADUATE' FROM REHAB CENTER

MAGALANG -- A total of 400 more drug dependents will "graduate" on March 16 
from a six-month treatment at the Central Luzon Regional Drug 
Rehabilitation Center (CLRDRC) in this Pampanga town.

Sr. Supt. Conrado Briton, CLRDRC director, said that at least 465 other 
drug dependents have graduated from the center since it was established 
three years ago.

Most of those who have undergone rehabilitation at the center were from 
Bulacan. The rest came from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.

Briton said that about 40 percent of the graduates have pursued their 
studies in some colleges and universities and about 45 percent have already 
been employed in different industrial firms at the Mariveles Economic Zone 
in Bataan, Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga and Subic Bay Freeport 
in Zambales.

All former drug dependents rehabilitated at the center were being placed 
under the police after-care program in which their activities were being 
monitored, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development in Central Luzon under regional director Flor Villar and all 
local government units (LGUs) in the region.

Only very few former drug dependents who have been monitored to have 
returned to illegal drug using have been committed at the center for 
further rehabilitation, according to Briton.

Briton commended Gov. Lito Lapid for releasing P2 million for the 
construction of another building at CLRDRC.

Most of the patients at the center belong to poor families who cannot 
afford to send their drug dependents to private rehabilitation centers.
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MAP posted-by: Beth