LGU CDO: For Cagayan de Oro, if we will really follow the mandate, aftercare is really anchored on the DSWD. For the city, this will be under the city social welfare and development office. When it comes to the aftercare service of the responders, even if there is a lead office to handle that, it should always be a multi-disciplinary approach. It cannot be done by one agency only. We still need the help of DILG to help us move the barangay and in supporting the community-based drug rehabilitation after care program.
LGU Santol: In the municipality of Santol, after community-based rehabilitation, we did the holistic approach. Our Mayor was very supportive. We trained the BADAC. At the same time, the LGU continue to support and guide the BADAC to teach them what should be done. In return, we get support from the BADAC.
LGU Talisay City: In Talisay City, we do things differently. What we do is we always work together. The aftercare program was started in City Health and City Social Welfare. The City Health Office takes care of the program and the monitoring. The city health really can monitor the drug testing and the mental health part. The CSWD is focus more on the integration with family and funding for training. Anything regarding the family and individuals, CSWD takes care of that.
LGU Talisay City: We have not encountered that in Talisay. We have a very good robust CSWD participation here. As I’ve said before, drug addiction is a health problem, it has a social impact. We need also to address the social impact. That’s why early on in the program, we’ve already enlisted the help of DSWD. Each LGU has a CSWD. Our ADAC here helps reintegrate.
LGU Cagayan De Oro: I think that’s where the beauty of CADAC or ADAC steps in. ADAC being the policy making body would convene all these agencies to come together to help. One agency cannot do it alone. We have to be multidisciplinary. Everybody has to work hand in hand.
LGU Santol: They do not offer aftercare for minors. What they only have is aftercare for adults.
LGU Talisay City: They have minors who used drugs but they go directly to the aftercare program. They collaborate with the city social welfare department..
LGU CDO: For CDO, in terms of CICLs and CARs, they are working in tandem with our social protection division. There is also a strong partnership with the Church. The archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro through its social action services also helps in handling these cases.
LGU Santol: They included faith-based organizations. They tapped them since they provide community-based rehabilitation program and aftercare program. These organizations also oversee their Santol Katipuneros.
There is no problem if faith-based organization will provide aftercare. In our area, faith-based organizations handle the Santol Katipuneros.
DDB: There is still no accreditation on community-based, including aftercare. We will come up with a regulation that as long as the anti-drug abuse council recommends a particular program, be it community-based, or aftercare, and attested by the Regional DOH, this will be allowed.
Effectiveness would depend on many things. A relapse prevention group would play a critical role in aftercare, since one of the aims of aftercare is relapse prevention. To come up with a group of relapse prevention group would be very helpful. This group will help some of their comrades and other recovering PWUDs in addressing triggers, in learning coping skills, and in coming up with education programs, guidance, and support to those who are still struggling in their journey to recovery. How it will work will depend on the determination and commitment of the relapse prevention group to help. Commitment also on the part of the recovering PWUD to be helped and many other factors. But this group would make a very good support system in aftercare.
From the LGUs who presented, it is the LGU who initiates livelihood or job placement program. However, some barangays have taken it upon themselves to help PWUDs find jobs at the barangay level or coordinate with city or municipal levels to avail of livelihood or job placement programs for their PWUD constituents.