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South Cotabato town eyes barracks-type treatment facility for surfacing drug personalities

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 3 (PNA) -- The municipal government of Tupi in South Cotabato is pushing the establishment of a barracks-type rehabilitation facility to facilitate the treatment of surfacing drug personalities in the area.

Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said Friday they are presently studying such move as alternative to the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Disorder or MIOP program being introduced by the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC).

He said the proposed barracks-type facility will be used for the community-based treatment of the surfacing personalities involved on drugs or SPIDs.

Citing their program, he said all involved personalities will be gathered at the facility and undergo uniform sessions on various modules instead of just keeping them in their respective barangays and attend sessions hosted by an assigned counselor.

Tupi town has listed 80 drug personalities classified at the moderate and low-risk levels and who need to undergo community-based treatment and rehabilitation.

Around 9,000 drug personalities surfaced and surrendered to local authorities last year in line with the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Tamayo said that out of the town’s 15 barangays, only four have not yet submitted their list of personalities that require treatment and rehabilitation.

“If this will push through, we will conduct the treatment in two batches,” the mayor said.

The official said the facility will be established in one of their far-flung barangays with just minimal structures.

He said it will have no walls or fences but fully guarded, and those who would try to escape will face punishment.

At the proposed facility, he said they are looking at providing the SPIDs with income-generating opportunities through farming.

Some of the income would be used by the local government to fund the treatment of the next batch of SPIDs, he said.

“The setup will be conducive to the clients and their families. They will have their treatment as if just having a vacation,” Tamayo said.

The mayor clarified that the treatment will not be forced on the drug personalities but on voluntary basis.

"If this will become successful, other towns can also avail of the facility for their SPIDs,” he said.

South Cotabato board member Agustin Dema-ala, PADAC action officer, said they are currently studying the proposed initiative of the Tupi municipal government.

He said they could also provide assistance to the program, especially in seeing support from other agencies and stakeholders. (PNA)

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