Imee seeks help of religious group, health experts to help drug dependents

LAOAG chief of police superintendent Edwin Balles speaks to the 710 drug users who voluntarily surrendered during the first spiritual healing and mass oath-taking ceremony held at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium recently. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—With the increasing number of drug dependents who are voluntarily submitting themselves to local authorities, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos is seeking the help of the religious sector and medical health workers including those who specialize in psychiatry and guidance counseling to help out in the rehabilitation efforts.

According to Ms. Marcos, the provincial government has already identified some local assets while considering the establishment of a drug rehabilitation center in some government hospitals here that are underutilized.

“We know that the religious group have the best record in any drug rehab, ang mga pastor at religious group talaga ang pinakamasusing mag-counsel. We are enjoying their help—the doctors, psychiatrists and guidance counselors para sa katakot-takot na training,” said Marcos as she proposed the conversion of a portion of the Tamdagan hospital for treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents. Tamdagan is located in Vintar, Ilocos Norte.

In previous years, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has allocated some funds for the construction of a drug rehabilitation center at Brgy. Tadao in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; but up to this time, the project has not materialized.

Meanwhile, a multi-sectoral anti-illegal drug summit will also be conducted in support of the intensified drug campaign of the Duterte administration.

Organized by the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office in cooperation with the provincial government, around 20 inter-government agencies and organizations, the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association, Rotary Club of Laoag-Ilocos Norte and the Diocese of Laoag were invited to attend the summit to be held at the Plaza Del Norte Hotel and Convention Center at the soonest possible time.

Highlights of the activity include the signing of a memorandum of understanding defining the specific roles and each agency and organization, drafting of specific plans, guidelines and procedures in support of a drug-free province declaration before the end of this year and the passage of relevant resolutions and ordinances to strengthen the nationwide anti-illegal drugs campaign.

To date, a total of 5,505 drug personalities have already surrendered based on the latest report of the provincial police office.

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