APRIL 27, 2013

NR # 3086

Solon wants drug abuse and alcoholism rehab center in each region
A lawmaker has vowed to pursue the establishment of a Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Treatment center in every region of the country stressing that alcohol and drug abuse are the nations most serious national public health problem. Alcohol and drug abuse affect all sectors of our society, rich and poor and regardless of ethnicity in our country, Rep. Nancy Catamco, author of HB 6618, said, noting that the 15th Congress may not have the time to pass it in plenary. Catamco cited estimates by the Dangerous Drugs Board that there are about 1.6 million addicts and another 1.8 million occasional drug users in the country and, while there is no available data on alcohol use, it is inarguably prevalent in the country. My proposal for regional rehabilitation and treatment centers will cater to the needs of Filipinos who are victims of alcohol and drug abuse, especially the indigent ones the poor, she added. Not only does it affect the abuser himself/herself, but everyone around the abuser his family, the community, and ultimately the nation as a whole, Catamco said, adding that drug abuse is obviously a heavier burden among the poor owing to the sheer lack of access to rehabilitation and treatment centers. She noted that while there are slowly emerging various privately owned and operated alcohol and drug abuse rehab and treatment centers, they are still scarce and are extremely costly. Private rehabilitation centers, while well meaning and seek to serve humanitarian purposes, tend to be unreachable to many Filipinos owing to their almost prohibitive expensive fees, Catamco said. The measure states that there shall be established, through the Department of Health (DOH) jointly with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in every region in the country. The funds necessary to implement the propose statute should be included in the General Appropriations Act as part of the annual budget of the DOH. (30) dpt