2 Negros Army camps to be drug rehab centers

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 30): 2 Negros Army camps to be drug rehab centers

Two Army military camps in Negros Occidental and Oriental have been identified as drug rehabilitation centers for the Negros Island Region.

Col. Francisco Delfin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said Camp Maj. Nelson Gerona in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia has been eyed as the rehabilitation center for drug dependents in Negros Occidental, while the vacated camp of 302nd Infantry Brigade in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, will be utilized as a drug rehab center for the Negros Island Region.

Public high school classrooms have also been recommended by Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves, who proposed “outpatient drug rehabilitation” for surrendered drug users, to be used for therapy sessions.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon called for a concerted effort in addressing concerns on the rehabilitation of drug users, with many more coming out to surrender.
“All of us should help,” Marañon said.

More than 18,000 drug pushers and users have surrendered to various police units in Negros island since July 1.

“We have to do something about it now, or else, they ( drug users) will return to their old habits,” Marañon said.

Delfin said members of the province Technical Working Group will meet next week to determine on how to go about the screening of surrendered pushers. He, however, said that Army personnel involvement in the rehabilitation of drug users will be more on training and security.

As to how many will be accommodated in the military camps, Delfin said it will depend on the facilities to be constructed.

But he said they will only need facilities for sleeping of drug users and an exercise area, which will be the parade ground of the 303rd Infantry Brigade headquarters.

Under the proposed outpatient drug rehabilitation of drug dependents, Teves said the reformed drug addicts will be tapped as “counselors” .

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental approved P5 million to support the drug rehabilitation program of the province.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/July/30/topstory1.htm