PNP to launch community-based recovery program for drug suspects

The Philippine National Police is set to launch Monday a progressive community-based recovery and wellness program for 1.3 million drug suspects who have voluntarily submitted themselves to authorities during Oplan Tokhang operations.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said that Life After Tokhang, or “LIFT,” is based on findings of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs that 90 percent of the drug dependents do not need to undergo a full rehabilitation program lasting six to 12 months.

“[K]ailangan lang community-based [rehabilitation],” he said in a press conference.

PNP joining drug rehab efforts

Carlos said that at first, they let the local government units and other partner agencies handle rehabilitation while they focused on enforcement.

“Now, kukunin na rin ho namin ‘yung portion na ‘yan sa tulong ng ibang NGOs [non-government organizations] at foundations at international organizations that would support us and ide-deliver ho namin,” he said.

“Gagawin ho namin itong recovery and wellness program para maabot na ho natin agad itong mga sumurrender at hindi na ho bumalik sa dati nilang gawain,” he added.

The PNP spokesperson said that consultations are underway to finalize an agreement between the PNP and an NGO, Life Rispondé Foundation Corporation, to set LIFT into motion.

Life Rispondé is a duly-registered non-stock and non-profit foundation that has been successfully conducting community-based rehabilitation and outpatient recovery programs for drug users.

Through partnership with government agencies, Life Rispondé has successfully delivered programs such as the Baguio Emergency Response to Addiction (BERA), Bontoc Emergency Response to Addiction (BONTERA), Sablan Emergency Response to Addiction (SABERA), Naturopathic Addiction Recovery Programs (NARS) and Life Management Programs (LMP).

From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, a total of 1, 309,776 drug personalities, both users and pushers, voluntarily yielded to the PNP during Oplan Tokhang operations.

Director Noel Constantino, PNP Director for Police Community Relations (DPCR), said LIFT will complement the drug rehabilitation and treatment programs of the Department of Health (DOH).

“We have a moral responsibility to assist and facilitate complete recovery of these drug offenders,” he said.

Drug rehabilitation and treatment requires a holistic follow-on recovery program to prevent relapse, Constantino added. — BM, GMA News