Local Governments Leading the Way to Reduce Drug Dependence in the Philippines

Arniel Romero is a pastor from Malabon, a densely populated city in the Metropolitan Manila area of the Philippines. As in other major cities, illegal drugs have plagued Malabon, affecting the health and safety of residents.

In 2015, the problem hit home when Arniel’s wife was robbed by a drug user. The robbery moved him to begin to offer drug counseling through his church to help end the cycle of pain. “Looking back, God led me to my passion of helping drug users get the rehabilitation they need,” he said.

In 2016, Arniel received formal training from the Dangerous Drugs Board to become a community facilitator. He also became a volunteer and in 2020 was appointed as Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program Coordinator of the City of Malabon Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CMADAO).

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