Treatment and reintegration into the society.
This is the two-pronged approach of the City Government of Mabalacat in its plan to establish the Mabalacat Drug Rehab Center.
Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales said the Peace and Order Council of Mabalacat City is planning to construct the rehabilitation center to treat more than 900 identified users and pushers of illegal drugs.
“We have to give them a better future through the treatment, education and livelihood programs that will be made available at the Mabalacat Drug Rehab Center,” said Morales.
As of July 29, Police Chief Inspector Gil Domingo said there are 910 identified drug users and pushers who surrendered to authorities.
Morales said a certain amount from the Peace and Order Council fund will be allocated for the anti-illegal drug programs.
Morales also said they will conduct drug-testing on city government officials and employees of Mabalacat City Hall.
Morales said that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will provide skills training for the patients.
“Tesda has been helping us in skills training of our kabalens. We were able to save a lot of money because of this program,” he said.
Mabalacat City will be the first local government unit that will put up a public drug rehabilitation center. An area in Barangay Sapang Balen is being considered as possible site of the Mabalacat Drug rehab Center.
“It will the first in Pampanga. This will be a public rehabilitation center. But it will be subsidized by the government,” Morales said.
To augment the drive against illegal drugs, three more vehicles were given to the city police. “Mobility will allow the police to be more effective,” said Morales