Lacson: No rehab program for 570k drug surrenderers 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday lamented that despite the Duterte administration's intensified campaign against illegal drugs, no proper rehabilitation program has been installed for the 570,000 people who have surrendered so far.

In an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go, Lacson revealed that the Philippine National Police has been forced to release back to the community those who surrendered due to the lack of drug rehabilitation facilities.

"Ang nakakapangamba rin nang tinanong ko sila (PNP) anong disposition ng mahigit 570,000 na nag-surrender either pushers or users, walang nakalatag na programa dahil ginawa lang nila pinabalik din sa kani-kanilang komunidad ang nag-surrender dahil ang rehab centers pagkaalam ko nasa 52 centers lang sa buong kapuluan," said Lacson, a former PNP chief.

He said these 52 centers could only house around 6,000 individuals. He said the government should have anticipated the influx of drug surrenderers, and prepared enough facilities to accommodate them.

"Nakita din natin sigurong lapse o pagkukulang, dapat kung ganito kaigting ang gagawing pakikibaka sa illegal drugs napaghandaan sana ng facilities," he said.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Senate reporters, Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the government to address the shortage in rehabilitation centers, and treat the drug problem in the country not only as a law enforcement issue but as a health issue.

"Heavily law enforcement ang approach natin sa drugs, na napakaraming nagsa-submit palagay ko iba doon ay totoong [drug] dependents. Iyong iba naman ay totoong takot. At iyong iba buhat sa ibang lalawigan ay nae-entice dahil sa kung anong alok katulad ng 5 kilong bigas sa bawat buwan sa isang taon," she said.

Hontiveros, after attending a Senate inquiry on public order and dangerous drugs, said the rehabilitations are currently "under strain" due to the "tsunami" of people who voluntarily submit themselves to authorities.

She said apart from law enforcement and rehabilitation strategies, the government should also employ "harm reduction strategies" and "preventive measures" like anti-drug education and awareness. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News