Pubdate: Mon, 30 May 2005 Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 Sun.Star Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690 Author: RHM Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines HELP FIND WORK FOR DRUG REHAB WARDS, COUNCILOR URGES CEBU City's Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) should have employment and livelihood programs for reformed drug dependents as another strategy to fight illegal drugs, a city councilor said. Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws, said former drug users often find it hard to get work because of the stigma society has placed on them. But with the support of private and non-government sectors, the City can actually help them become productive citizens, Labella said. A Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) report showed there are now an estimated three million drug pushers in the country, compared to just 20,000, mostly in Metro Manila, in 1972. In the same report, the most number of drug users are found in the age bracket 21 to 25 (30.75 percent), followed by 26 to 30 (20.09 percent). In terms of occupation, the unemployed composed the majority (48.95 percent), followed by the self-employed (16.72 percent), students (16.42 percent), out-of-school youths (13.13 percent) and those with jobs (4.78 percent). "Lifeline opportunities to reformed drug dependents would undeniably prod the latter to actively participate in any legitimate endeavor, which could lead to the betterment of themselves and their families," Labella said in a proposed resolution. Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, local government units should assist in the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents. Also, Labella and members of his committee expressed reservations on the ordinance creating the City Anti-Drug Trafficking and Drug Dens Clearing Board, proposed by Councilor Augustus Pe, chairman of the council committee on dangerous drugs. More Concise The committee noted that although the ordinance was simply to create the board, it contained non-essentials, such as the procedure in filing a complaint. It suggested that Pe's draft ordinance be made more concise and relevant to its purpose. But the committee agreed with the substance of the proposed measure, which was in compliance with the Dangerous Drugs Law provision that creates an administrative board to hear complaints on drug-related issues. The City Council last week approved the committee on laws report, which recommended that Pe take into consideration the observations made. - ---